FRANÇOIS ALLAIRE :
GOALTENDER COACH

Over the years, the École de hockey Co-Jean has become recognized throughout Canada and around the world for its goaltender training. This reputation can be attributed to François Allaire, a goaltender trainer whose expertise is solicited and recognized around the globe. Here’s an overview of his accomplishments…
After a Bachelor of Physical Education degree from the Université of Sherbrooke, several study trips to Europe and a rewarding career as a goaltender coach of the Midget AAA, university and junior major levels, François Allaire became the first full-time goaltender coach for the Montreal Canadiens organization.
He occupied this position for 12 years (1984-1996), working with the organization's goaltenders at the National League (N.H.L.) and the American League (A.H.L.) levels.
Among others, he worked with Patrick Roy from the beginning of his career with the Sherbrooke Canadiens of the American League in 1984-1985 until he left to join the Colorado Avalanche in 1995-1996.
During this period, Patrick Roy rapidly established himself as one of the best goaltenders in National League history by winning: 1 Calder Cup (A.H.L.), 2 Stanley Cups (N.H.L.), 2 Conn Smythe trophies (playoff MVP), 4 William Jennings trophies (team with fewest goals against), 3 Vezina trophies (goaltender of the year), 2 Trico trophies (save percentage), 4 Molson cups (most game star selections for the Canadiens.
He was also named to the first all-star team three times and to the second team twice, besides participating in six all-star games. Moreover, he was appointed to the all-rookie team in his first season with the N.H.L.
During this period, the orgnization's young goaltenders won the Happy Holmes trophy (team with fewest goals againdt) on four occasions and the Baz Bastien trophy (best goaltener) on three occasions in the American League.
In 1996, after Patrick Roy's departure, François Allaire worked with Jocelyn Thibault in his first season with the National League as number 1 goaltender.
During François Allaire's tenure with the Montreal organization, the team reached the Stanley Cup playoffs eleven times, including three Stanley Cup finals (1986-1989-1993).
Since the 1996-1997 season, he has worked as a consultant for the goaltenders of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. During his first season, Guy Hebert was selected for the National League all-star game (the 7th time one of his goaltenders participated in an all-star game) and the team made the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in its history.
Since that time, three goaltenders from the Mighty Ducks organization were selected for the Olympic Games (G.Hebert, 1998; M.Shtalenkov,1998; I.Bryzgalov, 2002), while the organization's young goaltenders were selected on three occasions for the American League all-star game.
Furthermore, the Mighty Ducks' goaltenders have finished in 2nd place for save percentages in the N.H.L. on two occasions (1999-2003).
In 2001, Francois Allaire started to work with Jean-Sébastien Giguère, who has since been selected three times by Team Canada for the World Championship Games (2001-2002-2004).

In 2003, after qualifying for the Stanley Cups playoffs, the Mighty Ducks made the Stanley Cup final thanks in large part to Jean-Sébastien Giguère's performance. He finished with the best goals-against average (1,62), the best save percentage (.945) and established and N.H.L. record for the longest playoff overtime shuout streak (168:27). He also won the Conn Smythe trophy. It was the 3rd time one of François Allaire's goaltenders had won this prestigious trophy (1986-1993-2003). Furthermore, jean-Sébastien Giguère win the Espy Award as the NHL's top hockey player in 2003. His teammate,Martin Geber keep the best goal-against average (1,77) and the best save percentage (,936) in the NHL during the 2003 calendar year and has been selected by Team Switzerland for the World Championship Games (2004).
In 2003 "The Hockey News" magasine name François Allaire among the top 100 people of power and influence inside the hockey industry. According to "Goalies World" magazine, these goaltenders finished in the top ten of the N.H.L. fourteen times in the last seventeen years.
For more than 25 years, during the summer season, François Allaire has participating in numerous hockey schools, in Canada, Europe ans Asia. More than 40 Canadian, American and European goaltenders who have signed or played with N.H.L. teams have participated in one of these camps.
He has also published four volumes related for goaltending, pre-season physical preparation or sports psychology. He has been invited to speak on goaltending more than a hundred times by various sports federations in Canada and throughout the world.
Furthermore, in 2007 he won the Stanley Cup for the third time (1986-1993-2007) as goalie trainer for the Anaheim Ducks.