Groulx has his fingerprints all over the Lightning’s Cup team. He played a key role in the development of Anthony Cirelli, Gourde, Cernak, Mathieu Joseph, Colton, Mitchell Stephens, among others. All of the players I’ve spoken to swear by Groulx, praising his hockey IQ, how demanding he is and how he gets the best out of players.
When Gourde joined Groulx in Syracuse, he had bounced around from the AHL and ECHL in two different organizations. He started as a fourth-line winger with the Crunch, but Groulx decided to give him more freedom by moving him to the middle.
“He gave me confidence to play center,” Gourde said. “I wasn’t much of a center before and he trusted me. It brought my game to the next level. I needed that. I was able to utilize my speed that way, kind of gave me a push. He’s the coach that gets the best out of you every single night. He’s looking for the best version of you every single night.”
Before Cirelli started garnering Selke Trophy attention, he got his first pro experience with Groulx.
“He really helped me get to the position I am today,” Cirelli said. “He just pushed you and pushed you to be a complete player. He wants you to be your best.”
Colton, who has been a revelation for the Lightning this year, had trouble finishing a 25-second shift his first year as a pro due to his stamina. His skating also wasn’t adequate. It was eye-opening, but Groulx got Colton through it.
“As a coach and a person, he gets the most out of you,” Colton said. “The last two years pro, he made me into a different player that I didn’t know I could be. He forced me to play a different way.”
