{{short description|Canadian ice hockey administrator (born 1957)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Use Canadian English|date=August 2020}} {{Infobox person |name = Gilles Courteau |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|10|07|mf=y}} |birth_place = Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada |occupation = Quebec Major Junior Hockey League president |years_active = 1986 to 2023 |awards = Hockey Québec Hall of Fame }}
'''Gilles Courteau''' (born October 7, 1957) is a Canadian former ice hockey administrator. He served as president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) from 1986 to 2023, and was a vice-president of the Canadian Hockey League. During his tenure as president, the QMJHL expanded from 10 teams in Quebec only, to 18 teams including Atlantic Canada. He implemented English as the language of instruction, and sought for the league to provide education and player assistance. He previously worked for the Trois-Rivières Draveurs, the Quebec Remparts, the Quebec Nordiques, and was inducted into the Hockey Québec Hall of Fame in 2016.
==Early hockey career== Courteau was born on October 7, 1957, in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theqmjhl.ca/admin/930 |title=Gilles Courteau|website=Quebec Major Junior Hockey League|access-date=2020-01-06}}</ref> He began his career in hockey as a statistician for the Trois-Rivières Draveurs from 1975 to 1977.<ref name="THRQ">{{cite web|url=http://temple.hockey.qc.ca/fr/page/intronises_en_2016.html|title=Intronisés en 2016|date=2016|language=French |website=Temple de la Renommée du Hockey Québécois|access-date=2018-09-10}}</ref> He worked with head coach Michel Bergeron for two seasons.<ref name="Lavoie">{{cite web|url=https://www.lesoleil.com/sports/pleins-feux/gilles-courteau-quatre-decennies-de-hockey-junior-4c1738c6995dc3b7af2a152488c863d0|title=Gilles Courteau: quatre décennies de hockey junior|last=Lavoie|first=Kathleen|date=2014-05-31|language=French|website=Le Soleil|access-date=2018-09-11}}</ref><ref name="Durocher">{{cite web|url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2015/03/13/gilles-courteau-en-a-vu-de-toutes-les-couleurs-en-40-ans|title=Gilles Courteau en a vu de toutes les couleurs en 40 ans|last=Durocher|first=Pierre|date=2015-03-13|language=French |website=Journal de Montreal|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref> Team owner Sylvain Cinq-Mars recommended Courteau apply for a similar position with the league after league president Paul Dumont opened an administration office in the Colisée de Québec.<ref name="Durocher" /><ref name="Lachapelle">{{Cite news|title=Décès de Paul Dumont|last=Lachapelle|first=Marc|date=2008-04-11|language=French|website=Canoe Canada}}</ref> Courteau worked as a general administrator for the QMJHL from 1977 to 1980.<ref name="THRQ" /><ref name="Lavoie" /> He later became general manager of the Quebec Remparts from 1980 to 1985 after the departure of Martin Madden.<ref name="THRQ" /><ref name="Lavoie" /><ref name="Durocher" /> Courteau also served as a public relations agent for the Quebec Nordiques from 1983 to 1985.<ref name="THRQ" /><ref name="Lavoie" /> When the original Quebec Remparts relocated in 1985, Courteau returned to working for the QMJHL as the administrative director.<ref name="Durocher" />
==QMJHL president== thumb|The President's Cup became the Gilles-Courteau Trophy in 2023, symbolic of the playoffs championship.|alt=Photo of trophy
Courteau became president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) on February 13, 1986.<ref name="THRQ" /> He was appointed interim president upon the resignation of Guy Morissette, and remained as the tenth and longest-serving league president.<ref name="Lavoie" /> He took on the added role of QMJHL commissioner in September 2001,<ref name="THRQ" /><ref name="Carrefour">{{cite web|url=https://www.kijiji.ca/carrefourkijiji/loisirs/sports/lhistoire-de-gilles-courteau-commissaire-de-la-lhjmq/|title=L'histoire de Gilles Courteau, commissaire de la LHJMQ|date=2014-01-16|language=French|website=Carrefour Kijiji|access-date=2018-09-10}}</ref> is also a vice-president of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), and represents the CHL on the junior council of Hockey Canada.<ref name="THRQ" /><ref name="Carrefour" />
When Courteau took over in the 1985–86 QMJHL season, the league had ten teams and an office staff of three full-time employees; as of the 2014–15 QMJHL season, the league had eighteen teams and a staff of twenty full-time employees.<ref name="Durocher" /> He led expansion into Atlantic Canada, starting with Halifax in the 1994–95 QMJHL season, which Courteau says is one of his biggest accomplishments as president.<ref name="Lavoie" /><ref name="Durocher" /><ref name="Hebdo1">{{cite web|url=https://www.quebechebdo.com/sports/hockey/2015/5/19/gilles-courteau-l-homme-a-la-tete-de-l-4151460.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918013114/https://www.quebechebdo.com/sports/hockey/2015/5/19/gilles-courteau-l-homme-a-la-tete-de-l-4151460.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 18, 2018|title=Gilles Courteau : L'homme à la tête de la Ligue de hockey junior majeur du Québec|date=2015-05-20|language=French|website=Quebec Hebdo|access-date=2018-09-11}}</ref> The decision was successful in allowing new owners and respected businessmen to join the league, raise expectations and the league profile, and increase the average worth of each franchise to $4.5 million in 2015.<ref name="Lavoie" /><ref name="Durocher" /><ref name="Carrefour" /><ref name="Hebdo1" /> The growth allowed Courteau to negotiate a 12-year extension for QMJHL television rights with TVA Sports and Sportsnet networks,<ref name="Lavoie" /><ref name="Durocher" /> and established revenue sharing to help smaller market teams.<ref name="Lavoie" />
In the early 2000s, Courteau directed the league's coaches to speak English instead of French during practice, in locker rooms, and during games, in response to the National Hockey League's concern that players from Quebec did not speak the language well enough to play at professional levels.<ref name="O'Connor">{{cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/news/the-language-of-hockey-in-quebec-why-its-actually-not-french|title=The language of hockey in Quebec: Why it's actually not French|last=O'Connor|first=Joe|date=2017-08-28|website=National Post|access-date=2018-09-10}}</ref><ref name="radio">{{cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1051993/lhjmq-langue-anglais-saguenens-chicoutimi|title=Gilles Courteau défend l'usage de l'anglais dans la LHJMQ|date=2017-08-24|language=French|website=Radio Canada|access-date=2018-09-11}}</ref> He was criticized in Quebec's French language media, but defended his decision as it prepared athletes for professional leagues that only use English.<ref name="radio" /> He also implemented French language courses for athletes with English as a first language, to help adapt to being billeted in French and attending local schools.<ref name="O'Connor" /><ref name="radio" />
In response to the class action lawsuit against the CHL regarding the status of its players with respect to the minimum wage in Canada, Courteau said that its players are not employees, but are student athletes.<ref name="Durocher" /><ref name="Morissette">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvasports.ca/2018/06/01/gilles-courteau-replique-a-gilles-lupien|title=Gilles Courteau réplique à Gilles Lupien|last=Morissette|first=Mario|date=2018-06-01|language=French|website=TVA Sports|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref> He 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.<ref name="Hamilton">{{cite web |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/quebec-bill-will-make-sure-junior-hockey-players-are-not-considered-paid-employees |title=Quebec bill will make sure junior hockey players are not considered paid employees|last=Hamilton|first=Graeme |date=2018-06-11|website=National Post|access-date=2018-09-17}}</ref> Courteau said that if players were paid a weekly salary, they would be less likely to continue schooling.<ref name="Durocher" /> He says the league's priority is to oversee players, ensure they have housing, food, education, hockey equipment, and receive a weekly stipend.<ref name="Durocher" /><ref name="Morissette" /> He also 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.<ref name="Morissette" /> He 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.<ref name="Hebdo1" /><ref name="Hebdo2">{{cite web|url=https://www.nouvelleshebdo.com/gilles-courteau-40-ans-de-hockey-junior/|title=Gilles Courteau: 40 ans de hockey junior|date=2015-05-12|language=French|website=Quebec Hebdo|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref>
Courteau has maintained the status quo on not releasing numbers of concussions in the QMJHL, due to confidentiality of medical records, but has stated that the CHL may adopt a policy on the disclosure of statistics in the future.<ref name="commotions">{{cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1024584/hockey-junior-lhjmq-gilles-courteau-commissaire-entrevue-gravel-commotions|title=Gilles Courteau garde le secret sur le nombre de commotions cérébrales dans la LHJMQ|date=2017-03-27|language=French|website=Radio Canada|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref> He also stated that the CHL has considered a possible renaming of the QMJHL, but that there are issues regarding branding and broadcasting.<ref name="McPhail">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphjournal.com/tribune/story/100350216/saint-john-qmjhl-commissioner-gallant|title=Could a name change be on the horizon for QMJHL?|last=McPhail|first=Colin|date=2017-09-22|website=Telegraph journal|access-date=2018-09-14}}</ref>
In December 2022, Courteau, announced that he will retire from the QMJHL in May 2024.<ref name="Gazette-March 2023">{{cite news|title=QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau resigns after 37 years at helm|agency=The Canadian Press|date=March 5, 2023|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|location=Montreal, Quebec|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/qmjhl-commissioner-gilles-courteau-resigns|access-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/sports/1941838/hockey-gilles-courteau-commissaire-lhjmq-retraite-2024|title=Gilles Courteau prêt à tirer sa révérence|date=December 16, 2022|agency=La Presse canadienne|work=Radio-Canada|language=fr|access-date=December 16, 2022}}</ref> He instead resigned sooner, effective March 5, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theqmjhl.ca/article/qmjhl-commissioner-steps-down|title=QMJHL Commissioner steps down|date=March 5, 2023|website=Quebec Major Junior Hockey League|access-date=March 5, 2023}}</ref> His resignation came during the Government of Quebec inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct committed during hazing rituals dating back to 1975 in the QMJHL.<ref name="Gazette-March 2023" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Legault wants to hear more from QMJHL president|last=Bergeron|first=Patrice|agency=The Canadian Press|date=March 3, 2023|newspaper=Montreal Gazette|location=Montreal, Quebec|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/legault-wants-to-hear-more-from-qmjhl-president|access-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref> He was succeeded as QMJHL commissioner by Mario Cecchini.<ref>{{cite news|title=Interim Alouettes president Mario Cecchini named QMJHL commissioner|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/interim-alouettes-president-mario-cecchini-named-qmjhl-commissioner/|access-date=6 September 2023|work=Sportsnet|agency=The Canadian Press|date=March 7, 2023}}</ref>
==Honours and awards== Courteau received a commendation from Minister of Veterans Affairs of Canada for his role in establishing a veterans' week throughout the QMJHL in 2010.<ref name="veterans">{{cite web|url=http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-us/department-officials/minister/commendation/bio/801|title=Gilles Courteau - Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation|date=2014-10-23|website=Veterans Affairs Canada|access-date=2018-09-10}}</ref> Courteau was inducted into the Hockey Québec Hall of Fame on June 11, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theqmjhl.ca/article/gilles-courteau-inducted-in-hockey-quebecs-hall-of-fame|title=Gilles Courteau inducted into Hockey Quebec's Hall of Fame|date=2016-06-11|website=QMJHL|access-date=2018-09-10}}</ref>
After retiring as commissioner in 2023, the QMJHL renamed its trophy for the playoffs championship to be the Gilles-Courteau Trophy.<ref name="Gazette-March 2023" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://chl.ca/article/2023-road-memorial-cup-qmjhl-preview|title=2023 Road to the Memorial Cup: QMJHL preview|last=Tidcombe|first=Matt|date=March 29, 2023|website=Canadian Hockey League|access-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref>
==Personal life== Courteau coached baseball in Trois-Rivières in 1975.<ref name="Lavoie" /><ref name="Durocher" /> He worked at the CIP pulp and paper mill in Trois-Rivières, before relocating to Quebec City to follow a hockey career.<ref name="Durocher" /> After the QMJHL relocated to Boucherville, Courteau became a resident of Varennes, Quebec.<ref name="Hebdo2" />
==References== {{reflist}}
{{QMJHL President}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Courteau, Gilles}} Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian Hockey League executives Category:Canadian public relations people Category:Canadian sports executives and administrators Category:Hockey Canada personnel Category:Ice hockey people from Trois-Rivières Category:Papermakers Category:People from Varennes, Quebec Category:Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League executives Category:Quebec Nordiques executives Category:Quebec Remparts