Canadian World Junior Hiring Quiets Canadiens Coaching Rumors

Sylvain Favreau was a hot name in the Canadiens’ coaching rumors. The Orleans, Ontario native has plenty of ties to Quebec, and many assumed he was the next Francophone coach to stand behind the Canadiens organization’s bench. Those rumors were likely put to rest after he accepted the job as assistant coach under Dave Cameron for Canada’s 2025 World Junior team.

Favreau led the Halifax Mooseheads within one game of the 2023 Memorial Cup when they lost in Game 7 to the Quebec Remparts, led by Patrick Roy. Favreau made a controversial move to step down as coach of the Mooseheads to take the lead of the Drummondville Voltigeurs. The Voltigeurs experienced immediate success under Favreau, winning the QMJHL title to advance to the 2024 Memorial Cup. The Voltigeurs lost all three games at the prestigious tournament, but Favreau’s ability to nearly lead two different teams there in two years is a testament to his coaching ability.

The door isn’t closed on Favreau eventually joining the Canadiens’ organization. However, this would’ve been the perfect offseason to do it. A head coach and assistant coach role opened in Laval after Jean-Francois Houle resigned this past week. Alex Burrows also left his role behind the bench of the Canadiens this week, which could’ve been an interesting fit for Favreau’s first glimpse at an NHL job. The Canadiens will now fill those roles with other candidates, leaving Favreau on the outside looking in if he wants to join the organization later.

Favreau played professional hockey in France from 2002-2007. He tallied over a point per game in the French Second League but decided to try coaching instead of toiling in Europe. Favreau took over as assistant coach with the Gloucester Rangers in the CCHL. He became their head coach in 2011, a role he held for four seasons before taking over the Cumberland Grads.

The Halifax Mooseheads hired him as their assistant coach in 2017-18 and he also joined the Hockey Canada U17 development program as an assistant coach. Hockey Canada promoted him to head coach in 2019-20, leading Team White at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Finally, in 2021, the Mooseheads promoted him to head coach, a role he held for two seasons before taking over the Drummondville Voltigeurs.