Even if the departure of Michel Laplante created quite an electric shock in the environment of the Capitals, it is not as if he left without having prepared the succession.
• Also read: “I took the team where I could take it”: Michel Laplante leaves his post as president of Capitales calmly
Without even realizing it at the time, Laplante claimed that he was preparing a sort of succession plan from the moment he miraculously survived the terrible helicopter accident in the summer of 2016.
“I said to myself that if it had been fatal, what would have happened with such and such an idea? I felt like I had to share everything from that point on. Since then, I feel like I made sure to convey everything that was on my mind,” he explained.
A role for Charles Demers
In all likelihood, Vice President Charles Demers should be promoted to the role of President. For 12 years, he has worked closely with Laplante.
“It will be the shareholders’ decision as to succession, but Charles has all the knowledge and can do the job. It’s his team too,” argued Laplante, who promises to continue to help if necessary, without playing the role of critical mother-in-law.
For his part, Charles Demers does not hide that the position interests him even if the challenge promises to be enormous.
“I do not pretend to say that I am going to fill the shoes of Michel Laplante, because he is much more than the president of an organization. He is a person with an aura and charisma, who is able to make the people around him shine. He has his own personality. I think Michel has confidence in me for the future,” he said.
Several projects
Charles Demers discussed with Laplante during the summer on the golf course about his idea of leaving. He only had confirmation two days after the championship.
If Laplante dreamed of new challenges, Demers assures that he is still far from having gone around the sandbox.
“Investments in the stadium are a significant challenge. The Frontier League will likely grow to 24 teams within two years. For me, these are great challenges.
“We are talking about interior renovation of the stadium, a museum, a new souvenir shop, light shows in the trees. There will be significant improvements in the coming months and years. We will always have new projects every year,” he assures.
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