SYDNEY, N.S. — Being the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles team governor is something Richard Morency will always cherish.
“There is no doubt the experience was a pleasure and it was an honour knowing the team had confidence in me,” said Morency.
“When you sit on the board of governors, sometimes you have to make tough decisions, but the team always backed me up as in the time of Greg Lynch and Andre Cote.”
The 74-year-old Morency served as the team governor for 18 years, before being replaced as governor by team president Gerard Shaw on Tuesday.
The move comes just over two months after Irwin Simon became the majority owner of the local Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team, but that had little reason for Morency’s departure.
“I’m the one who started the conversation about Gerard taking over as the team’s governor,” said Morency. “I told him I’d be turning 75-years-old in June and that I wanted to moderate all of my moves and for me it’s a chance to relax with my children.”
Bio
Richard Morency
- Hometown: McMasterville, Que
- Age: 74
- Children: Five (three boys and two girls)
- He became the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles team governor in 2000.
- His son, Pascal Morency, played two-and-a-half seasons with the Screaming Eagles in the early 2000s
The conversation about Shaw taking over as governor first started about a year ago when Morency was diagnosed with cancer in the throat area.
“It was really during that time that I knew I had to take it easy and when Gerard came in (as team president), we got along very well and very easy, so I figured the timing was perfect,” said Morency.
“The team is in good hands with Gerard as team governor.”
Morency had surgery last March to remove the cancer and was recently told he was cancer free.
“Now I’m OK,” said Morency. “I had an exam last week and they told me they don’t have to see me until June or July, so that’s really good news.”
Prior to accepting the Screaming Eagles governor position in 2000, Morency worked in the radio business in the Montreal area, and also served as the public address announcer for Major League Baseball’s Montreal Expos for 17 years. He also served as the Expos vice president of communications and marketing for 10 years.
Morency was asked to be the team’s governor by former head coach Pascal Vincent.
“The governor position for me was a surprise because I had just walked away from the Expos,” said Morency. “Pascal had told me that the club needed a governor and asked if I was interested. The fact I knew commissioner Gilles Courteau I said yes.”
Morency wasn’t the only member of his family to be part of the Screaming Eagles organization. His son, Pascal, played two-and-a-half seasons with the Screaming Eagles in the early 2000s, something Richard Morency wanted.
“I remember when Pascal was drafted by Chicoutimi – I didn’t want him to play there – I wanted him to learn English,” said Morency. “I had asked Pascal Vincent (who coached Pascal Morency in midget hockey) if he would take my son on his team in Cape Breton and shortly after a trade was made.
“Pascal is fluently bilingual and stayed in hockey for 14 years and is now coaching hockey, so having him play for the Screaming Eagles was the greatest move I made for him – which is why I made sure that our scouting department took as many Quebecers as they were capable of taking because it gives those players an experience they wouldn’t receive if they were playing for a Quebec-based team.”
Overall, Morency is proud of what he’s accomplished with the Screaming Eagles, but there is something he regrets.
“The only disappointment that I could have with all of these years is that we never had a chance to wear a ring (championship title),” said Morency. “I think the team is on the right track now and I have a lot of confidence in the club.”
Morency, who lives about 15 minutes away from the QMJHL head office, believes the majority ownership of Simon is a positive step forward for the organization.
“These days if you want to be top notch, you have to be prepared all the time and make sure to be there and, in this case, financially, there’s no doubt,” said Morency. “I’m excited to see how the team does moving forward and I will always be thankful to the organization for giving me the chance – it was a great time.”
When reached by phone on Tuesday, Shaw spoke highly of Morency.
“We want to pick up on that passion where Richard left off because he’s been a tireless advocate for the Screaming Eagles,” said Shaw. “Richard is very well respected throughout the QMJHL with all of the board of governors, owners and general managers.”
As team governor, Shaw with represent the Screaming Eagles on the league’s board of governors, who meet four times a year as well as during the QMJHL annual sessions prior to the league entry draft each year.
“I did have the opportunity to attend the last two governor meetings as an observer with Richard, so I’ve seen how they operate and how the league operates, so I’ve had some exposure to the other governors and owners – I’m looking forward to it,” said Shaw.
“Richard has offered his knowledge as long as I need it and I can tell you that I know how long he’s been in the league and how respected he is, so I’ll certainly be phoning Richard anytime I have questions.”
Shaw confirmed he will remain the team’s president as well as governor.
As for Morency, he was expected to arrive in Cape Breton on Wednesday to take part in the QMJHL’s 50th anniversary tour, which will visit Sydney on Friday.
Related: Shaw named Screaming Eagles new team governor
Twitter: @CBPost_Jeremy
