We’re all still recovering from the Canadiens shocking coaching changes earlier this week. We already heard GM Marc Bergevin discuss the decision to replace Michel Therrien with Claude Julien, and yesterday, we got to hear from the team’s new head coach.
During his conference call, Julien touch on a variety of subjects, including his relationship with the Canadiens organization and his firing by the Bruins’ front office. Thanks to Boston.com, Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette, and Fluto Shinzawa of The Boston Globe, we were able to compile some of those notable quotes below:
On replacing Therrien:
I was a guy that was let go a little over a week ago. I know the feeling of when you’re let go. It’s not a fun feeling, it’s not something that you like to go through. We know how much it affects not just you, but your family. So I certainly want to talk about Mike Therrien, who I know is going through those same feelings right now.
“It’s not easy for me as a coach to come in here knowing that you’re replacing another coach who is going through the same things that you have. Mike is a good coach, I know from coaching against him he’s not an easy coach to try and match lines against, etc., and he’s done a great job there. So I want to wish Mike the best of luck because I know he’s a good coach and I know he’ll bounce back at some point.”
On whether he learned anything during his previous stint in Montreal:
I don’t know if there’s a lesson. I think it’s more about experience. I really didn’t feel even if it was my first job in Montreal … I really never felt that there was an issue as far as media pressure and everything else.
“Am I going to get criticized? Absolutely. There’s no place in this world of hockey that you don’t get criticized. That doesn’t matter to me. I think what matters to me is that I focus on my job, I don’t get bogged down by what some people call white noise. But I feel in my heart that I’m doing the right thing for my team. The rest I can deal with and that’s probably the experience of being in the league for so long that I’ll probably be able to handle even better now the second time around.”
On any game plan changes he may implement:
We’re going to play as a team, we’re going to play with some pace, we’re going to create some pride in all aspects of our game. All the other adjustments system-wise, I’m going make them, but you can’t come in the middle of the season and change everything.”
On his relationship with Bergevin:
He’s a good manager, a good man and it’s important for me to work for good people. I also spoke to (Canadiens owner Geoff) Molson and I realize I’m going to a good organization.”
On getting fired by Boston:
I’d been in the office the day before, really looking to fix things and get us back on the winning track. The next morning, I found out. It’s not a shocker, but I don’t think I was necessarily expecting it.”