Claude Julien became the 26th head coach in the history of the Montreal Canadiens on January 17, 2003. Julien, 42, had been in his third season as head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Canadiens' affiliate team in the American Hockey League.

Before joining the Bulldogs, Julien coached the Hull Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1996 to 2000, winning 141 games, losing 109, and earning 16 ties. He also led the Olympiques to a Memorial Cup championship in 1997.

A native of Orleans, Ontario, Julien has been very successful at the international level, winning a Bronze medal as head coach of the Canadian Team at the World Junior Championship in 2000 and a Silver medal as assistant coach at the same tournament a year earlier. Julien also coached the Under-18 Team to the Gold medal at the 3 Nations Tournament held in 1997 in the Czech Republic.

Julien suited up for 14 games as a player in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques. Playing defense, he played in 409 games in the American Hockey League, recording 40 goals and 206 assists for a total of 246 points.


Source: canadiens.com



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