HABS NAME MARTIN ST. LOUIS AS THEIR NEW HEAD COACH

NHL / Hockey

Written by Joel Lefevre

The Montreal Canadiens are putting their faith in Martin St. Louis to turn around their fortunes next season, announcing him as the 32nd head coach in franchise history.

Source (Background Photo): Getty Images

A former Stanley Cup champion and Hart Trophy winner as a player, St. Louis took over from Dominique Ducharme on an interim basis on February 9, leading the Habs to a 14-9-4 record.

Montreal was one year removed from an appearance in the Stanley Cup finals, before finishing dead last in the league this past season.

St. Louis, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018, has signed a three-year contract with the team and says that he plans to build an environment where the club will succeed year after year.

Last month the Habs won the draft lottery and will have the first selection on July 7 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

For the moment, St. Louis seems to be striving toward taking smaller steps with this club, saying they have to keep moving forward while acknowledging that success will not happen overnight.

The Habs finished the 2021-22 campaign with a record of 22-49-11.