Bruins coach Claude Julien signs multi-year contract extension
The Boston Bruins have signed head coach Claude Julien to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced Sunday.
Terms of the new deal weren't disclosed, but SportsNet's Elliotte Friedman reports that the extension is for three years. General manager Peter Chiarelli said in a statement that the team had been working on an extension for several months.
From Chiarelli in the statement:
"Claude is one of the top coaches in the NHL and has consistently shown a passion for winning through his coaching. Coaching is a difficult profession at the best of times and what Claude does in implementing structure in his systems, and having a solid defensive foundation while allowing freedom in offensive play is no easy task. During his time with the Bruins, he has excelled in maintaining this difficult balance, and his longevity here speaks volumes. He has coached the Bruins to a Stanley Cup and a Cup Final appearance and our goal to win with him at the helm remains the same as we move forward."
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Julien, 54, has coached the Bruins since the 2007-08 season and is the franchise's longest-tenured coach. The team has made the playoffs in each of his seasons and won the Stanley Cup in 2011, the franchise's sixth championship and first since 1972. Boston made the Stanley Cup Finals again in 2013.
Last season, Boston won the Presidents' Trophy as the team with the NHL's best record but lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the conference semifinals.
Julien's overall record with the Bruins is 317-171-65 in 553 games. He previously was the head coach of the Canadiens and New Jersey Devils.
Boston is 7-6 this season and in fourth place in the Atlantic division. The Bruins next play the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
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