After more than three years of inactivity in the National Hockey League (NHL), Claude Julien will make his return. He will be one of the assistants to new St. Louis Blues coach Drew Bannister.
Julien has been inactive professionally since his dismissal as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens in 2021, in addition to a stint at the helm of the Canadian team at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2022. His team then lost in the quarters final against Sweden.
The hockey man, now 64 years old, has over 19 years of coaching experience. He made his debut with the Canadiens in 2002, before being sent back in his third season. He then managed the New Jersey Devils for one season, then the Boston Bruins for 10 seasons – with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2011. He finally returned to Montreal in 2016, before being fired at new.
Another move at the Blues: Steve Ott was promoted to associate coach. The former Canadiens agitator is in his eighth season behind the team’s bench.
Last season, head coach Craig Berube lost his head coaching position to Drew Bannister, who was given the interim title, before making his hiring permanent in May. . Berube has since been named head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.