Michel Therrien is a former professional ice hockey player and coach from Canada. He began his career as a player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in the 1980s, playing for the Laval Voisins and the Longueuil Chevaliers. He was known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to score goals.
After retiring as a player, Therrien began his coaching career in the QMJHL, leading the Granby Predateurs to a championship in 1996. He then moved on to coach in the American Hockey League (AHL), where he won a championship with the Fredericton Canadiens in 1999.
In 2000, Therrien was hired as the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, one of the most storied franchises in the NHL. He led the team to the playoffs in his first season, but was fired midway through his second season due to a poor record.
Therrien then spent several years coaching in the AHL and the ECHL, before being hired as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005. He led the team to the playoffs in his second season, and in 2008, he coached the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings. However, Therrien was fired midway through the 2008-09 season due to a poor record.
After a brief stint coaching in Europe, Therrien was hired as the head coach of the Canadiens for a second time in 2012. He led the team to the playoffs in his first season back, and in 2014, he coached the Canadiens to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the New York Rangers.
Therrien was fired by the Canadiens in 2017, and has not coached in the NHL since. Throughout his career, he was known for his intense coaching style and his ability to motivate his players. He also had a reputation for being a disciplinarian, and was not afraid to bench or discipline players who did not meet his expectations.
Overall, Michel Therrien had a successful career as both a player and a coach in the world of ice hockey. He won championships at both the junior and professional levels, and coached several NHL teams to the playoffs. While his coaching style may have been controversial at times, there is no denying his impact on the sport.
🏒