MONTREAL -- Joel Bouchard has decided to take on a new challenge. After three years at the helm of the Laval Rocket, he has accepted the position of head coach of the San Diego Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks' AHL feeder club. Bouchard succeeds Kevin Dineen and becomes the third head coach in Gulls history. Bouchard, 47, guided the Rocket to first in the Canadian Section and second in the AHL with a 23-9-4 record in 2020-21. "The opportunity to attract Joel Bouchard as head coach of our AHL club was something we couldn't pass up," said Ducks vice president and general manager Bob Murray. "Joel has a strong background in coaching and developing players at the professional, junior and international levels. This is a priority for us and Joel fits the bill perfectly."