Claude Julien will make his return to the NHL for the first time since the 2020-21 season, having been hired by the St. Louis Blues as an assistant coach. His most recent position was as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, from which he was dismissed in February 2021.
With Julien joining as an assistant, the Blues also announced the promotion of Steve Ott to associate coach.
Julien spent a decade with the Boston Bruins from 2007 to 2017, guiding them to their first Stanley Cup in 39 years in 2011. He holds the franchise record with 419 wins and 57 playoff victories and won the Jack Adams Award in 2009. The Bruins dismissed him from his coaching role in February 2017.
The 64-year-old brings nearly two decades of experience to the Blues, who captured a Stanley Cup in 2019.
Julien faced health issues in 2020, undergoing heart surgery to have a stent placed in a coronary artery after experiencing chest pains.
Meanwhile, Ott has been on the St. Louis bench for seven years and played a significant role in the Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup victory over the Bruins.