The New Jersey Devils announced the hiring of Claude Julien as their new head coach. Julien will replace GM Lou Lamoriello behind the bench.
Lamoriello served as interim coach for the club's final 50 games after the resignation of Larry Robinson. He led the Devils to a 32-18 record. New Jersey swept the New York Rangers in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before bowing to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.
'Claude Julien brings experience, knowledge, enthusiasm and discipline that will compliment the players here in the New Jersey Devils organization,' Lamoriello told reporters before introducing his new coach.
Julien served as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens from January 2003 to January 2006. He had a 72-62-10 record and helped the Habs reach the second round of the playoffs in 2004, the last year before the lockout. In addition to coaching the Canadiens, Julien has been a coach in the AHL and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 1997, he led the Hull Olympiques to the Memorial Cup Championships.
