© Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS — Claude Julien said he never had any prior conversations with St. Louis Blues coach Drew Bannister.

However, everything changed when Julien got a phone call from Bannister, who was curious about his willingness to become an assistant coach for the Blues. As Julien, who had an impressive coaching career of 18 seasons in the NHL and even won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011, pondered over it, he started to feel more and more positive about the prospect.

Julien explained during a phone conversation on Friday, shortly after being hired on June 27, that Drew had contacted him to inquire about his suitability for their team. Given Julien’s familiarity with many individuals in that environment and his comfort level there, both Drew and Julien extensively deliberated on the matter to ensure compatibility. Ultimately, they concluded that it was indeed a perfect match.

In 2021, the Montreal Canadiens had the privilege of being coached by a seasoned 64-year-old individual who has had an impressive career in the NHL. Throughout his tenure, he has accumulated a remarkable record of 667 wins, 445 losses, 152 ties, and 10 draws in 1,274 games. This includes his contributions to the Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Bruins.

One of his most notable achievements was being honored with the prestigious Jack Adams Award for NHL coach of the year during his time with the Boston Bruins in the 2008-09 season. Under his guidance, the Bruins achieved an outstanding 53 wins, which had not been surpassed since their victorious 54-game season in 1971-72.

Furthermore, his playoff performance has been equally commendable, boasting a record of 68 wins and 56 losses in 125 games. Of significant importance was his instrumental role in leading the Boston Bruins to a championship victory in 2011.

Julien expressed his enjoyment in being a mentor, particularly with a younger coaching staff. This includes associate coach Steve Ott, aged 41, and assistants Mike Weber, aged 36, Dave Alexander, aged 47, and Michael Babcock, aged 29. Julien’s vast experience and wisdom contribute to an impressive resume.

Julien expressed that being a coach allows him to remain in the game, something he truly enjoys. Additionally, he sees this as a chance to support a talented and promising coach in Drew Bannister, who is relatively young at 50. Julien acknowledged Bannister’s accomplishments in leading the team last year, recognizing the difficulty of steering a team back on course. Overall, Julien believes that Bannister did an impressive job handling such a challenging situation.

I expressed to him, “Throughout my journey as a head coach, I have been blessed to have talented assistant coaches by my side.” Currently, at this point in my career, I have the chance to pay it forward and provide the same support to someone else. I am genuinely eager to assist Drew and the coaching staff, who are young, dynamic, and inspiring. Sharing my experience with them is something I am truly excited about.

Bannister, the 27th coach in Blues history, was appointed on May 7 after a successful record of 30-19-5 since taking over from Craig Berube on Dec. 12, 2023. Bannister expressed that the decision to hire Julien was an obvious one as he consistently fulfilled all the necessary criteria.

During development camp earlier this month, Bannister expressed his thoughts on the selection process for a coach and the specific qualities he sought for the team. He acknowledged that Claude repeatedly stood out due to his extensive experience as a head coach in various leagues, including major junior, American Hockey League, and the NHL. Bannister emphasized the importance of NHL experience and specifically sought a coach who had served as a head coach at the NHL level.

After conversing with numerous individuals and conducting several successful interviews, one person consistently stood out to me – Claude. I couldn’t help but recognize the immense value he would bring to our team and the positive impact he would have on both our staff and players. As I have mentioned previously, his arrival would undeniably elevate us to a higher level.

In 2018-19, Doug Armstrong, the general manager of the Blues, had a similar encounter when he decided to add Hall of Famer Larry Robinson to Berube’s coaching team. This move proved to be highly successful as the Blues went on to secure their first and only Stanley Cup victory. Armstrong is optimistic that this new hiring will yield similar positive outcomes.

Armstrong expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I find it incredibly thrilling. During our conversation, Drew discussed his team and I recounted my own encounters with assembling staffs. The way Larry Robinson guided a young staff left a lasting impression on me. I believe Claude is at a stage in his life where accepting this opportunity comes easier, and he can now appreciate the joy of collaborating with young coaches, helping them grow, and sharing his experiences both with players and staff.”

The gentleman possesses an impressively filled trophy display. Concealing this fact is simply impossible, and I believe the players are well aware of it. If they are unfamiliar with him, they will undoubtedly resort to searching his name on Google and be astounded by his achievements in Presidents’ Trophy, Stanley Cup, and international events. It is undeniable that this individual is truly a champion.

In my opinion, Mike Babcock, who I believe borrowed the phrase from Barry Trotz, expressed the idea that it is perfectly fine to have individuals who consistently achieve success within your team.