Montreal Canadiens Add Daniel Lacroix As Assistant Coach
By Jared Book
The Montreal Canadiens announced today a few changes to their front office, including Daniel Lacroix being added as an assistant coach, essentially replacing Gerard Gallant who became the head coach of the Florida Panthers.
Lacroix has been an NHL assistant coach from 2006 when he was with the New York Islanders. He then went to the Hamilton Bulldogs to be Guy Boucher’s assistant. When Boucher was hired by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Lacroix followed him before then going to the New York Rangers.
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Lacroix is a native of Montreal and played six seasons in the American Hockey League. The fact that he isn’t a stranger to the Canadiens organization and coached with Boucher is interesting. You may be getting some of his ideas without the distraction of a former head coach on the bench.
Nov 21, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Rangers assistant coach Daniel Lacroix watches his team warm up before the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Rangers defeated the Stars 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
I like the hire, and I assume others will as well as it isn’t the “safe” hire of say, Clement Jodoin, coming down to the bench. If he can fix the power play, that would be even better.
The Canadiens also announced that Rob Ramage will replace Patrice Brisebois as player development coach. Ramage also played, briefly, for the Canadiens during his long NHL career. Ramage was most recently a scout with the St. Louis Blues. He has also been an assistant coach with the London Knights.
Montreal also announced a reorganization within the hockey department. Rick Dudley was named senior vice president of hockey operations. Scott Mellanby was promoted to assistant general manager, to work alongside Larry Carrière. Trevor Timmins was appointed vice president of player personnel, as well as keeping his responsibilities as the team’s director of amateur scouting.
These moves are likely not a major deal, and it is notably taking some attention off of the arbitration numbers released earlier today. No doubt, Marc Bergevin is working hard on the P.K. Subban contract as well as the deadline approaches before their Friday hearing.