The first objective has been accomplished, but the final objective is far from over for Gardiner MacDougall and the Moncton Wildcats. Nevertheless, let the speculation begin. Is it going to be a “one and done” scenario for Gardiner MacDougall and the Moncton Wildcats because that’s starting to be discussed across the hockey world.
Four days ago, Sportsnet Insider Elliott Friedman mentioned MacDougall’s name during an interview on “Game Notes.” “One name right now is Gardiner MacDougall, I know teams have been watching this guy and are saying can this translate into the NHL.”
It doesn’t get any more speculative than that.
You would never dare ask that question to MacDougall or anyone around the Wildcats for that matter right now and hell it’s been less than 24 hours since they hoisted the Gilles Courteau Trophy, for the first time in 15 years, but it’s still a very intriguing proposition.
This is nothing new for MacDougall, people have been floating his name around the professional coaching ranks for years on end. When he went into Saint John under the circumstances for the Memorial Cup, people asked the same questions nonstop and rightfully so. It makes for an intriguing story. His coaching resume and record speaks for itself. He just wins wherever he goes, but will he be on the move again after the end of the Memorial Cup?
To speculate on the future, ironically one might have to look into the past. What did it take for MacDougall to leave UNB? What would it take MacDougall to now leave Moncton? The prospect of working with his son Taylor the General Manager of the Wildcats was no doubt incredibly important in his decision to join the organization.
The “JGS” or “just getting started” moniker has been a common theme throughout MacDougall’s short tenure with the Cats. So, what would happen to the Wildcats if Gardiner MacDougall were to leave and make the jump to the NHL?
Is it NHL or bust for MacDougall? What NHL jobs are even available and would MacDougall be a good fit?
Would the intrigue of potentially leading Canada at the World Junior Championships be enough to perhaps persuade MacDougall to stay in Moncton for one more season? Ironically that’s one championship he doesn’t have possession of.
Everyone thinks the Wildcats subsequent dismantling at the end of this season will be painful, as is any potential rebuild, but let’s face it, the Cats under Taylor MacDougall will retool quite quickly. Will there be growing pains, of course, but Taylor MacDougall’s connections in the hockey world and expertise in player personnel are very well documented and with the new three import rule coming into effect it will only strengthen Moncton’s resolve. The “Gardiner MacDougall Effect” is multifaceted, the Wildcats will now have a newfound eastern seaboard pipeline of US free agent talent wanting to call Moncton home. What about Taylor MacDougall? If I were running an NHL team, I would want someone like that in my organization, he’s a brilliant hockey mind.
It’s far too early and not even remotely fair to speculate on any major player personnel moves or asset management, but there’s no question the Wildcats brain trust are as well planned and prepared as any across the CHL.
Gardiner MacDougall and the Moncton Wildcats have unfinished business, and you damn well know at 12:01 this morning that’s where all of his and the organization’s attention were hyper fixated on, the Memorial Cup.
In the hockey world even at the highest levels they always want to know the secret behind winning and they would do just about anything to possess it. There’s no secret here only speculation. Gardiner MacDougall knows what it takes to win, he’s made a career of it, and he continues to prove that he can do it just about anywhere and at any time.
The speculation has begun as Gardiner MacDougall’s legend continues to grow. It’s nothing new for him or his teams because that level of intrigue and curiosity has followed him throughout journey in the game and illustrious career. Will it be “one and done” or are we going to see MacDougall continue to weave is magic behind the bench in Moncton? We will all have to wait and see. Let the speculation begin.
When Gardiner and Taylor MacDougall were hired fans, critics and hockey people alike all questioned and speculated on how they would handle the rigors of the QMJHL a longer season, a younger group and could he win with the Moncton Wildcats? Well Gardiner MacDougall and the Moncton Wildcats are QMJHL Champions and are still on a quest to claim the organization’s first ever Memorial Cup and we certainly don’t have to speculate on that.
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