An Honour Removed

His name likely won't be at the top of many lists when it comes to international hockey stars, but Frenchman Denis Pérez had a pretty amazing career before moving into the coaching ranks in his native France. He played for six teams over his career - five in France and one in Germany - so his exploits won't be known to many people on this side of the ocean, but he does hold some marks of distinction in the world of hockey. He represented France on the international stage as seen to the left in those magnificent jerseys, and the defenceman would play in a number of Winter Olympiads. However, we're here to talk about an honour given to Pérez that was rescinded by a team after Pérez and the team found themselves in a dispute, resulting in the team removing the honour altogether.

Pérez had a long career in French hockey. He played 23 seasons in total with 22 in France, ascending to the Ligue Magnus, and one single, solitary season with Adler Mannheim in the DEL. The majority of his time in the Ligue Magnus was spent with les Dragons de Rouen, but he also suited up with HC Caen, les Français Volants, Anglet Hormadi Élite, and les Gothiques d'Amiens. He became just the fifth player in Olympic history to play in five consecutive Olympiads, representing his country from 1988 in Calgary until 2002 in Salt Lake City. He also represented France at a number of IIHF World Championships over his career. Pérez still holds the record for most games played for the French national team at 297.

Upon his retirement from playing on 2005, Pérez was named as the head coach of his final team as he took over behind the bench for HC Amiens Somme, better known as Les Gothiques d'Amiens. With his extensive playing experience and knowledge about the game in France, it was expected that Pérez would help Amiens find its way back to the top of the Ligue Magnus standings after being league champions in 2004. While his three seasons behind the bench in Amiens wouldn't result in a championship for the club, Amiens never finished worse than sixth-place in the 14-team league. If there was a worrying trend other than the lack of playoff success, though, it was that each season's record was worse than the previous one during Pérez's time as head coach.

There may be a variety of reasons for these annual declines in total wins and points, but end result was that Pérez was released in 2008 from his head coaching position by Amiens. It seems this is where the dispute occurred as 2008-09 saw Pérez working as an assistant coach with the Action de Joliette from the Ligue de hockey junior AAA du Québec.

It needs to be mentioned that Amiens had retired Pérez's #64 jersey upon the conclusion of his career for his service to not only the Amiens team in his two seasons there, but for his service to his country for playing for the French national team as often as he did. If they called, Pérez was quick to say yes as he played all over the globe while representing his home country.

The release from the head coaching position, as stated above, seemed to cause some ire between Pérez and HC Amiens Somme, and the former player and coach decided to sue the club over his release. While there is nothing definitive online about why he sued, it seems that the trial cost HC Amiens Somme some money whether it be a settlement or simply via legal fees as the team mounted some serious debts from 2006-2008. In what appears to be a move done for vengeance or out of spite, Amiens unretired #64 from their list of retired numbers!

Pérez, it seems, is persona non grata in Amiens when it comes to his departure and the aftermath he left behind, but I don't think the former French national team member is doing too poorly with his move to Canada. In following up on trying to find out what became of Monsieur Pérez, it seems that he and his son are successful restaurateurs!

Denis and his son, Tim, own and operate two A&W restaurants on the North Shore and a third in Montréal in Quebec!

"I moved to Quebec in 2008 when I was 17," says Tim Pérez told Cision. "Back in Normandy, I played hockey and studied finance. Once I got here, I began studying human sciences, but after working with my father, I decided to become a businessman."

2008, as stated above, would have been when Denis was released unceremoniously by Amiens, so the timeline fits nicely together as the elder Pérez was coaching in Quebec in the winter of 2008-09!

"I'm actually the reason we became A&W franchisees," Tim joked. "The great tasting A&W burger I had him try, the restaurant's ambiance and the customer service convinced my dad that this was a great investment opportunity."

While he may not be a Canadian by birthright, it seems that both Denis Pérez and his son, Tim Pérez, are woven into the culture of this land through their entrepreneurial ventures. Despite having Amiens remove the honour they bestowed upon him for his many years of service to the French men's national team, it seems he's found himself right at home in his new home in Quebec as the longtime defender now serves up burgers and onion rings from his three restaurants!

It seems this story does have a happy ending after all!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!