**Michel Therrien, Former Montreal Canadiens Head Coach, Takes on New Role in the NHL**
*By HockeyWire Staff | May 10, 2025*
In a move that has surprised many in the hockey world, Michel Therrien, the former head coach of the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins, is returning to the NHL in a brand-new role. Therrien, long known for his passionate, no-nonsense coaching style, has been appointed as the **Senior Advisor of Player Development and Mentorship** with the Ottawa Senators.
The announcement was made Friday morning by Senators General Manager Steve Staios during a press conference at Canadian Tire Centre. It marks Therrien’s first official role in the NHL since stepping away from coaching in 2020, and signals a new chapter for both him and the rebuilding Senators.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Michel to the Senators organization,” said Staios. “He brings a wealth of experience, not only as a head coach at the NHL level, but also as someone who has a deep understanding of player development and what it takes to build a winning culture. His mentorship will be invaluable to our younger core.”
### A Storied Coaching Career
Michel Therrien’s coaching résumé is one of the more complex and colorful in recent NHL memory. Known for his fiery demeanor behind the bench, Therrien first entered the coaching scene in the late 1990s with the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Fredericton. His NHL breakthrough came in 2000 when he was named head coach of the Montreal Canadiens. Though his first stint in Montreal ended in 2003, he quickly landed in Pittsburgh, where he coached the Penguins from 2005 to 2009.
There, he played a pivotal role in shaping a young core that included Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-André Fleury. His tenure peaked with a 2008 Stanley Cup Final appearance, though he was replaced midseason the following year by Dan Bylsma, who led the team to the Cup.
Therrien returned to the Canadiens for a second stint in 2012, guiding them to multiple playoff appearances and an Eastern Conference Final berth in 2014. He was dismissed in 2017 despite a winning record, replaced ironically by Claude Julien—the same coach he had succeeded in Montreal years earlier.
Since then, Therrien has worked in various advisory and media roles, including a brief tenure as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers.
### A Deeper Connection to Hockey History
What makes this appointment even more intriguing is Therrien’s personal hockey journey. Long before his coaching career, Therrien was a standout defenseman in the WHL, playing under legendary coach Bep Guidolin—himself a trailblazer in North American hockey history and the first NHL head coach of Italian descent. Therrien has often cited Guidolin as one of the most formative figures in his life.
Now, Therrien steps into a position that draws on the mentorship he received decades ago, hoping to pass that wisdom on to the next generation of players.
“This isn’t just about systems and X’s and O’s,” Therrien said during Friday’s press event. “It’s about teaching young men how to be professionals, how to carry themselves, how to prepare for the grind of a long season, and how to win when it matters most.”
Therrien, now 61, added that this role allows him to “give back” to the game that gave him so much.
### Role with the Senators
The Senators, who are continuing a multi-year rebuild, believe that Therrien’s insights can help accelerate the growth of their young core, which includes stars like Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson, and captain Brady Tkachuk.
“Michel’s been through everything—playoffs, rebuilds, pressure markets,” said head coach Jacques Martin, who coached against Therrien during their overlapping years in the NHL. “He understands what it takes to mold a team. He’s going to be a major asset to us off the ice, especially with our younger talent.”
While Therrien will not be behind the bench, he is expected to travel with the team occasionally, attend practices, and work closely with the player development staff in Belleville, the Senators’ AHL affiliate.
### Reception from the Hockey World
The hockey community greeted the news with a mix of curiosity and support. Though Therrien was a polarizing figure during his coaching days, many former players praised the hire.
“Say what you want about Michel, but he knows how to prepare a team,” said former Canadiens forward Tomas Plekanec. “He demanded accountability and professionalism. That’s exactly what a young team like Ottawa needs right now.”
Even rival executives took note.
“Smart move by Ottawa,” commented a Western Conference GM on condition of anonymity. “People forget how much experience and knowledge guys like Therrien carry. When they’re not behind the bench, they’re even more dangerous because they can see the big picture.”
### A Second Act with Purpose
For Therrien, this new chapter is more than a professional opportunity—it’s a personal mission.
“Coaching was my life, but this role allows me to make a lasting impact in a different way,” he said. “I’ve made mistakes, I’ve learned, and now I want to help others avoid the same pitfalls.”
Whether or not Therrien ever returns to coaching remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the NHL isn’t done with him yet—and neither is he with the NHL.
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