Here's possibly the best way to think of Alain Vigneault: his coaching philosophy.
"I believe that there's one way to play and that's the right way. Most coaches that have success in the NHL they all believe in their way of coaching and philosophy in playing, and at the end of the day I believe what myself and my assistants are trying to do is right."
The right way has led Vigneault to a lofty perch. On Saturday, he became the 21st NHL coach with 500 victories. It's a distinguished group, and Vigneault is a worthy addition.
Since becoming coach of the Montreal Canadiens, with his first game on Oct. 1, 1997, this former NHL defenseman has been a success as well as a gentleman. It's not just the victories that tell why Vigneault arrived at this career plateau. It's how he got there.
Consider what he said Saturday after his New York Rangers beat the Phoenix Coyotes for No. 500: "I feel very privileged and fortunate to have all those good players through the years."
Calm and self-effacing, prepared and willing to let his players shine. That's Vigneault.
“I think what may go unnoticed is the accountability he holds us to,” Rangers defenseman Marc Staal told The New York Post. “He’s not very vocal or brash about it to the outside world, but one-on-one in the room, he holds us to the high standards he expects from us every night, and I think that raises our level.”
Staal wasn't alone.
“I think he’s the kind of guy that focuses on his process and follows that day to day,” Dominic Moore told The Record of Bergen, N.J. “It’s those milestones, when they come up, that remind you, ‘Hey, I’ve got a good thing going here, my process is good.’ He’s not the kind of guy who would think about that.”
Vigneault began as coach of the Canadiens, and today he is tied with Habs legend Toe Blake in career victories. He is one behind former Habs coach Pat Burns. He is 500-335-35-72 in 942 games coached.
"I do understand that 500 is a lot of wins and I've been very fortunate to have coached some real good players, have had some real great assistants working with me, and I've always had support of management," Vigneault said.
All that remains is to win the Stanley Cup. Vigneault got the Vancouver Canucks to the finals in 2011 and the Rangers there in 2014.
For the record, Vigneault is 78-47-11 in his two seasons in New York and was 313-170-57 in Vancouver and 109-118-39 in Montreal.
Now, 500 victories. Couldn't happen to a better guy.