27 Facts About Gilles Courteau

Gilles Courteau was born on October 7,1957 and is a Canadian former ice hockey administrator.

Gilles Courteau served as president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1986 to 2023, and was a vice-president of the Canadian Hockey League.

Gilles Courteau implemented English as the language of instruction, and sought for the league to provide education and player assistance.

Gilles Courteau previously worked for the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs, the Quebec Remparts, the Quebec Nordiques, and was inducted into the Hockey Quebec Hall of Fame in 2016.

Gilles Courteau began his career in hockey as a statistician for the Trois-Rivieres Draveurs from 1975 to 1977.

Gilles Courteau worked with head coach Michel Bergeron for two seasons.

Team owner Sylvain Cinq-Mars recommended Gilles Courteau apply for a similar position with the league after league president Paul Dumont opened an administration office in the Colisee de Quebec.

Gilles Courteau worked as a general administrator for the QMJHL from 1977 to 1980.

Gilles Courteau later became general manager of the Quebec Remparts from 1980 to 1985 after the departure of Martin Madden.

Gilles Courteau served as a public relations agent for the Quebec Nordiques from 1983 to 1985.

Gilles Courteau became president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on February 13,1986.

Gilles Courteau was appointed interim president upon the resignation of Guy Morissette, and remained as the tenth and longest-serving league president.

Gilles Courteau took on the added role of QMJHL commissioner in September 2001, is a vice-president of the Canadian Hockey League, and represents the CHL on the junior council of Hockey Canada.

The growth allowed Gilles Courteau to negotiate a 12-year extension for QMJHL television rights with TVA Sports and Sportsnet networks, and established revenue sharing to help smaller market teams.

Gilles Courteau was criticized in Quebec's French language media, but defended his decision as it prepared athletes for professional leagues that only use English.

Gilles Courteau implemented French language courses for athletes with English as a first language, to help adapt to being billeted in French and attending local schools.

Gilles Courteau successfully lobbied for amendments to labour standards in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, and as of June 2018 is negotiating with the Quebec government.

Gilles Courteau said that if players were paid a weekly salary, they would be less likely to continue schooling.

Gilles Courteau says the league's priority is to oversee players, ensure they have housing, food, education, hockey equipment, and receive a weekly stipend.

Gilles Courteau stated that the league spends $75,000 per player each year including tuition and tutoring, and is more akin to a scholarship than a salary.

Gilles Courteau introduced a player assistance program in 2012 to help with on-ice and off-ice issues for players, and wants to maintain the trust of players and parents, as part of his own extended family.

Gilles Courteau stated that the CHL has considered a possible renaming of the QMJHL, but that there are issues regarding branding and broadcasting.

In December 2022, Gilles Courteau, announced that he will retire from the QMJHL in May 2024.

Gilles Courteau was succeeded as QMJHL commissioner by Mario Cecchini.

Gilles Courteau received a commendation from Minister of Veterans Affairs of Canada for his role in establishing a veterans' week throughout the QMJHL in 2010.

Gilles Courteau was inducted into the Hockey Quebec Hall of Fame on June 11,2016.

Gilles Courteau worked at the CIP pulp and paper mill in Trois-Rivieres, before relocating to Quebec City to follow a hockey career.