From goaltending coach, head coach, general manager, governor, to co-owner, Jean-François Damphousse did it all for nine years in the Maritime Hockey League (MHL) for the Dieppe Commandos. The 39-year-old was interviewed Sunday as Rogers Hometown Hockey visited Dieppe.
MHL Chairman of the Board of Governors Dave Ritcey says, “Damphousse’s passion and knowledge of the game was always welcome and respected around the league.”
ICYMI: #NHL alumnus, J.F. Damphousse joins @RonMacLeanHTH and @TaraSlone in the @CityofDieppe today and reflects on his playing career, his role as the University of Moncton’s Director of Hockey Operations and how #Dieppe became his home. pic.twitter.com/dRGHSOylwg
— Rogers Hometown Hockey (@hometownhockey_) November 25, 2018
The former goaltender was selected 24th overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by New Jersey and played five years professionally, including six games for the Devils where he posted a 2.45 GAA and .896 save percentage.
Damphousse spent three years with the Moncton Wildcats, from 1996-97 to 1998-99, and eventually returned to the city for a brief stint as goaltending coach.
In the AHL, he played for the Albany River Rats, Saint John Flames, and Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, in additional to a few games with the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL.
After the announcement that the Commandos would move to Edmundston to start the 2017-18 season, the native of St-Alexis-des-Monts, Quebec was hired as the Director of Hockey Operations for the University of Moncton’s Aigles Bleus men’s hockey program.