Post by dogcatcher on Nov 20, 2007 7:38:20 GMT -4
Emotionally Charged
QMJHL Jacques Beaulieu walks a fine line with his intensity behind the bench
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday November 20th, 2007
Appeared on page B10
Few would argue that Jacques Beaulieu has single-handedly turned around the fortunes of the Saint John Sea Dogs. Beaulieu might argue the point, but only because he seems to argue about an awful lot these days. Is it whining or wanting to win?
We tend to think it's his insatiable desire to succeed, but either way, Beaulieu agrees he'll have to work on controlling his emotions if he hopes to reach his ultimate goal of coaching in the NHL.
"For sure my emotions get the best of me sometimes and I get caught up in the game," said the 39-year-old. "It's one of my weaknesses for sure."
One veteran QMJHL employee, who asked to remain anonymous because of a league policy not to comment to the media, made no bones about it. He said Beaulieu has a reputation for being hard on officials.
The word intimidation was even used and by that he meant the hairy eyeball ... the long, cold stare Beaulieu has patented. Or the "meaningless conferences," the coach will request to question a call.
"You have to be able to control your actions on the bench," the QMJHL employee said.
"He's very emotional but whether you agree with the call or not, you've got to lead by example.
"Let's put it this way, he's not doing himself or his team any favours by acting the way he does."
Beaulieu strongly disagreed with the intimidation notion.
"I'm not into that at all," he said. "Whether it's a young referee or an older referee, if I'm speaking, I'm speaking to make a point, not to scream at someone."
When that does happen, Beaulieu's troops will often follow suit.
"Sometimes I see it if I get too fired up on the bench, I feel my players get caught up in it too," he said.
To the officials, Beaulieu must seem like the Aflac duck. He gets their attention the first few times he quacks, but after that, it doesn't have the same effect.
"I can't yell at the referee all night," he acknowledged. "They're human beings and they're no different than a player. If you yell at them for 70 games, they'll tune you out.
"I don't think I'm at the point where I'm hurting my team or myself."
Beaulieu insisted though, that it's important for all participants in the game to be held accountable, whether they are players, coaches or officials.
"The referee is no different than the players or no different than me. If the team is not playing well, I'm going to be told [by ownership]," he said.
All that said, we're not likely to see any major changes in Beaulieu's style anytime soon. And maybe that's a good thing because we'd far rather see a fired-up bench boss than a well-dressed mannequin changing the lines.
Some tweaking might be in order, but in the long run, it's tough to argue with success.
The Sea Dogs, who sit seventh overall and fourth in the Eastern Division, take their record of 14 wins, seven losses, one overtime loss and two shootout losses into Friday's home game against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar at 7:30 p.m. at Harbour Station. Saint John sits with 31 points, just two points shy of its total two years ago.
QMJHL Jacques Beaulieu walks a fine line with his intensity behind the bench
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday November 20th, 2007
Appeared on page B10
Few would argue that Jacques Beaulieu has single-handedly turned around the fortunes of the Saint John Sea Dogs. Beaulieu might argue the point, but only because he seems to argue about an awful lot these days. Is it whining or wanting to win?
We tend to think it's his insatiable desire to succeed, but either way, Beaulieu agrees he'll have to work on controlling his emotions if he hopes to reach his ultimate goal of coaching in the NHL.
"For sure my emotions get the best of me sometimes and I get caught up in the game," said the 39-year-old. "It's one of my weaknesses for sure."
One veteran QMJHL employee, who asked to remain anonymous because of a league policy not to comment to the media, made no bones about it. He said Beaulieu has a reputation for being hard on officials.
The word intimidation was even used and by that he meant the hairy eyeball ... the long, cold stare Beaulieu has patented. Or the "meaningless conferences," the coach will request to question a call.
"You have to be able to control your actions on the bench," the QMJHL employee said.
"He's very emotional but whether you agree with the call or not, you've got to lead by example.
"Let's put it this way, he's not doing himself or his team any favours by acting the way he does."
Beaulieu strongly disagreed with the intimidation notion.
"I'm not into that at all," he said. "Whether it's a young referee or an older referee, if I'm speaking, I'm speaking to make a point, not to scream at someone."
When that does happen, Beaulieu's troops will often follow suit.
"Sometimes I see it if I get too fired up on the bench, I feel my players get caught up in it too," he said.
To the officials, Beaulieu must seem like the Aflac duck. He gets their attention the first few times he quacks, but after that, it doesn't have the same effect.
"I can't yell at the referee all night," he acknowledged. "They're human beings and they're no different than a player. If you yell at them for 70 games, they'll tune you out.
"I don't think I'm at the point where I'm hurting my team or myself."
Beaulieu insisted though, that it's important for all participants in the game to be held accountable, whether they are players, coaches or officials.
"The referee is no different than the players or no different than me. If the team is not playing well, I'm going to be told [by ownership]," he said.
All that said, we're not likely to see any major changes in Beaulieu's style anytime soon. And maybe that's a good thing because we'd far rather see a fired-up bench boss than a well-dressed mannequin changing the lines.
Some tweaking might be in order, but in the long run, it's tough to argue with success.
The Sea Dogs, who sit seventh overall and fourth in the Eastern Division, take their record of 14 wins, seven losses, one overtime loss and two shootout losses into Friday's home game against the Baie-Comeau Drakkar at 7:30 p.m. at Harbour Station. Saint John sits with 31 points, just two points shy of its total two years ago.