Claude Julien Returns to Montreal

Claude Julien is back in Montreal as the Head Coach. Montreal Canadiens GM, Marc Bergevin, announced Tuesday that Claude Julien will be relieving Michel Therrien of his duties. Bergevin said on the subject, “I would like to sincerely thank Michel for his relentless work with the Montreal Canadiens over his eight seasons behind the bench, including the last five seasons when we worked together. The decision to remove Michel from his coaching duties was a difficult one because I have lots of respect for him. I came to the conclusion that our team needed a new energy, a new voice, a new direction. Claude Julien is an experienced and well respected coach with a good knowledge of the Montreal market. Claude has been very successful as an NHL coach and he won the Stanley Cup. Today we hired the best available coach, and one of the league’s best. I am convinced that he has the capabilities to get our team back on the winning track.”

Michel Therrien, coach of the Habs since 2012, also coaching them in 2000-2003, was fired Tuesday. He helped bring the Canadiens to an Eastern Conference Finals in 2014 and compiled a record as a head coach in the NHL 406-303-23-82 in 814 regular season games. Therrien also coached the Pittsburgh Penguins until 2009. Montreal fans had to see this coming over the last few seasons. The relationship between the players and Therrien have been poor, that was a huge reason Subban was shipped off to Nashville. The biggest sign that Therrien could be in trouble was two days after Claude was fired.  Bergevin held a meeting with Max Pacioretty, Carey Price, and Shea Weber without Michel Therrien being there. If that’s not a sign someone is on the way out, I don’t know what is.

Looking back at the history of Therrien, he was fired in 2009 by the Penguins, Dan Bylsma was hired, and the Penguins ended up winning the Stanley Cup a few months later. Is Claude going to be able to re-energize this team? As a Bruins fan I am terrified with the idea of Claude driving this Montreal team to the finals. Defenses have thrived with him, goalies have been Vezina Trophy worthy under him, and Montreal’s offense can be physical and light teams up.

Claude Julien is 56 years old and this will be his second round of coaching Montreal. He coached the Habs from January 2003 to January 2006 with a record of 72-62-10-15 in 259 regular season games. He has coached a total of 997 regular season games in the NHL, for Montreal, New Jersey, and Boston. Julien was relieved of his coaching role with the Bruins after a lackluster couple of seasons from himself and the team. He lead the Bruins to a Stanley Cup Championship in 2011 as well as a run to the Cup in 2013. He also received the Jack Adams award in 2016 for coach of the year. Julien was the winningest coach in Boston Bruins history, with a record of 388 wins.

Claude is a native of Orleans, Ontario and began his coaching career on the bench of the Hull Olympiques in the QMJHL in 1996. He won a gold medal with team Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and captured another gold at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

I believe Julien will be a great fit for a Habs team who has, as of late, lost their way. Julien will take over a team that has been slowing down from its impressive start, and I believe he will be able to kick the tires on this team and get them back on the right track. The Habs are 31-19-8 for 70 points thus far, and in the month of February they are 1-5-1 with losses to Colorado, who is the worst team in the NHL, and rivals Boston after getting a new coach.

Claude will have a defense to work with that fits his coaching style and a strong offense to work with as well. Montreal doesn’t play until Saturday the 18th. They will have some time to regroup with a new coach and get ready for Winnipeg.

Written by Chase Barnhart