Habs GM ponders the way back
Molson sees Marc Bergevin as key to restoring Montreal’s winning culture
MONTREAL — Montreal Canadiens president Geoff Molson said the hiring of general manager Marc Bergevin represents the “first step in re-establishing a culture of winning in Montreal.”
Bergevin, 46, was introduced as the Canadiens’ 17th GM at a news conference Wednesday. He replaces Pierre Gauthier, who was relieved of his duties on March 29 after a twoyear run that ended with the Canadiens finishing last in the NHL’S Eastern Conference with a 31-3516 record this season.
Molson said the decision to hire Bergevin was made after a monthlong search guided by former general manager Serge Savard.
“We had a long list of candidates and we were able to whittle the list down to 10 pretty easily,” Molson said.
He added that there were three candidates on the final short list, and while he didn’t identify them, the runners-up are believed to be Tampa Bay Lightning assistant general manager Julian Brisebois and hockey commentator Pierre Mcguire.
If the hiring process was exhaustive for Molson and Savard, it was no less so for Bergevin, who went through what he described as “three-and-a-half interviews.” It was a six-hour session Monday that convinced Molson he had the right man.
“We talked about many different things, but it never got old,” said Molson. “We could have talked all night.
“The decision wasn’t easy, but we feel we selected an individual with the potential to lead our organization in the future. We were looking for a candidate with very strong leadership capabilities, great communication skills at all levels and someone with a clear determination and commitment to winning.
“We believe we found the right person.”
Bergevin said he hoped to have fun in the new job and make the people of Montreal proud. When asked how long it would take to turn the team around, Bergevin said: “I don’t have a time frame, but my vision of this team is that it has a good nucleus. To rebuild something, you start from scratch. I believe the pieces we have are good, Obviously, finishing 15th in the conference means there’s a lot of work to do, but we have a good base to build from.”
On several occasions, Bergevin stressed the importance of teamwork and the need for players who fill different roles.
“I was never the greatest player, but I always thought I contributed,” said Bergevin, who enjoyed a 20-year career as a defenceman in the NHL.
Bergevin has to find a new head coach. One of his first duties Wednesday was calling former teammate Randy Cunneyworth and telling him he was not returning as head coach, but there might be a role for him as an assistant. Cunneyworth’s continued employment will ultimately be in the hands of the team’s new head coach.
That coaching job might not be filled before the June draft. Bergevin said there was no urgency in hiring a new head coach and he’ll apply the same painstaking approach that led to his hiring.
Bergevin said he was looking for a good communicator who can adjust during a game, but his main concern is finding someone with the desire to win.
Of course, the ability to speak both French and English will be a hardand-fast requirement.
Bergevin, who grew up in Montreal’ working-class Point St. Charles neighbourhood and watched the Canadiens win Stanley Cups as a youngster, arrives back in Montreal after seven years in the Chicago Blackhawks’ front office
Bergevin was drafted 59th overall by Chicago in 1983 and played 1,191 games with the Blackhawks, New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks.
Dale Tallon, when he was GM in Chicago, offered Bergevin a job with the Blackhawks’ scouting staff in 2005, and he was named director of pro scouting in 2007 before becoming the team’s director of player personnel.
He was named Chicago’s assistant GM after Kevin Cheveldayoff left to become GM of the Winnipeg Jets in the summer of 2011.