The Laval Rocket announced Thursday they have hired David Urquhart as an assistant coach, completing a staff that will guide the American Hockey League club through the 2026-27 season at Place Bell.
Experienced coach enters Canadiens’ development system
Urquhart, who has led McGill University’s men’s hockey program since 2021, leaves the university ranks to re-enter professional hockey in the Canadiens’ farm system. He will serve on the bench under head coach Daniel Jacob, who was appointed in July to succeed Pascal Vincent.
He’ll join Daniel Jacob’s staff as an assistant.
The appointment reunites Urquhart with pro hockey environments he has known before. He previously spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the San Diego Gulls in the AHL (2018–21). As a player, Urquhart had a stint with the Hamilton Bulldogs — the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate at the time — during the 2010–11 season.
Roles on the bench and staff confirmed
The Rocket have outlined responsibilities across the bench that will shape player development and in-game systems. According to team announcements and reporting, Urquhart will oversee the forwards and the power play.
- David Urquhart — assistant coach (forwards, power play)
- Martin Laperrière — assistant coach (defence, penalty kill)
- Ilia Ejov — goaltending coach (returning to the club)
- Charles Juneau — video coach (entering his fifth season)
That structure pairs Urquhart’s forward-group and special-teams remit with Laperrière’s responsibility for the defence and penalty-killing units. Ejov and Juneau round out a staff focused on both in-game performance and analytical preparation.
| Coach | Primary responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Daniel Jacob | Head coach |
| David Urquhart | Forwards; power play |
| Martin Laperrière | Defence; penalty kill |
| Ilia Ejov | Goaltending coach |
| Charles Juneau | Video coach |
What the hire means for Laval fans and the Canadiens’ pipeline
For Laval, the Rocket remain the principal site where Canadiens prospects gain professional experience close to Montreal. The addition of a coach with university head-coach experience and prior AHL familiarity signals an emphasis on both player development and tactical detail — particularly on the power play and forward structure.
Local supporters will see the coaching changes play out at Place Bell, where the Rocket continue to stage in-arena presentation and community programming tied to the club. The bench appointments also matter to the Canadiens’ broader organisation: AHL coaching philosophies influence how young players are prepared for potential NHL calls or trades.
Urquhart’s move completes the staff that Jacob will lead into the coming season. The group will be tasked with integrating prospects, refining special teams and delivering results in a competitive AHL landscape where player movement between Laval and Montreal is frequent.
The Rocket did not release a player-related transaction alongside the coaching announcement. As training camp approaches, the new staff will be under close observation by fans and by the Canadiens’ personnel who monitor development progress in Laval.
Coverage of the Rocket’s training camp and early-season performance will provide a clearer picture of how the coaching hires translate to on-ice systems and player advancement within the Canadiens’ organisation.
