Alain Vigneault, a successful juniors coach and former Ottawa Senators assistant, was hired Monday for hockey’s most prestigious jobs–coach of the Montreal Canadiens.
He signed a three-year contract to succeed Mario Tremblay, who quit days after the Canadiens were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Vigneault, 36, played defense for the St. Louis Blues for parts of two seasons in the 1980s.
“I am very aware of the heritage and tradition that the Montreal Canadiens have,” said Vigneault, who becomes the team’s 25th coach.
Tremblay complained about the pressures that come with coaching the Canadiens. Vigneault said he’s ready.
“If we win, the fans are going to be happy . . . and the players are going to be happy and you (the media) are going to be happy,” he said. “So we are going to do everything to win as quickly as possible.
“I’m not here to win a popularity contest. I’m here to get a job done.”
