It was a very busy weekend, as you may have figured out by now, and no news was bigger for Minnesotans than the retirement of Wild coach Jacques Lemaire. He was the face of the Wild franchise since the genesis of the team, more than any player that the has worn the uniform.
Lemaire never really stepped out from behind the bench to create a lot of sound bytes or did anything foolish. He was a composed, brilliant teacher who not only instructed strategically, but also by example. In a sports world, in a sports market where so many do unforgivably dumb things, the most resounding criticism of Lemaire has been that he is too boring. He ignored the calls to add a little life to the team, and instead chose to be successful on his own terms, methodical though they were. On a personal note, not only did he look like my dad, he had the same temperment as well. It will be stranger having Lemaire gone than Marian Gaborik for most of us.
The question now turns to who Lemaire’s successor will be. I think the Wild will promote from within. I don’t know much about Mario Tremblay, but I do know a little more about Mike Ramsey. He used to have a sporting goods store out by my house, and whenever we would go there, his attention to the kids coming in there to buy equipment was impressive. It’s a small sample size, but it seems like Ramsey has the same makeup as Lemaire. Working under him for the past decade probably only furthered that mentality for Ramsey.
Either way, if the head coach position is kept in house, the team will be in good hands. Thanks to Jacques Lemaire for so many years of great service, and giving the team the model for future success.
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