Claude Ruel
| Claude Ruel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
September 12, 1938 Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada | ||
| Died |
February 9, 2015 (aged 76) Longueuil, Quebec, Canada | ||
| Coached for | Montreal Canadiens | ||
Claude Ruel (September 12, 1938 – February 9, 2015) was a professional ice hockey coach for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Ruel was raised in Sherbrooke, where he played hockey and was regarded as a highly promising young defenseman, even though he was smaller in size. However, in 1958, he suffered a serious injury when a deflected puck hit him in the eye. He spent three months in the hospital recovering, but the damage was permanent, and he lost his vision in that eye.[1]
In the early 1960s, Ruel began his coaching career with the Montreal Junior Canadiens. He soon became an integral figure in the Canadiens' development system, working as a leading scout. Eventually, he was promoted to the NHL club's front office, where he took on the role of director of player development.[2]
Ruel was hired to coach the Habs in 1968, replacing the legendary Toe Blake. He led a talented group of players to a Stanley Cup championship during his first year. However, the following season, Montreal was the odd team out in a tight, five-team "Original Six" battle for four playoff spots. He started the 1970-71 season behind the bench, but decided to step down 23 games into the season because the pressure of life behind the bench was affecting his health. He subsequently returned to his role as director of player development, but he took over as Montreal's coach again in 1979, leading the team for one and a half years during the waning days of the 1970s dynasty.[1]
Ruel died on February 9, 2015.[3]
Coaching record
[edit]| Team | Year | Regular season | Post season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | Pts | Finish | Result | ||
| Montreal Canadiens | 1968–69 | 76 | 46 | 19 | 11 | 103 | 1st in East | Won Stanley Cup |
| Montreal Canadiens | 1969–70 | 76 | 38 | 22 | 16 | 92 | 5th in East | Missed playoffs |
| Montreal Canadiens | 1970–71 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 4 | (97) | 3rd in East | (resigned) |
| Montreal Canadiens | 1979–80 | 50 | 32 | 11 | 7 | (107) | 1st in Norris | Lost in quarter-finals |
| Montreal Canadiens | 1980–81 | 80 | 45 | 22 | 13 | 102 | 1st in Norris | Lost in preliminary round |
| Total | 305 | 172 | 82 | 51 | ||||
References
[edit]- ^ a b Bacon, Jack. "Claude Ruel: Helping, Advising and All Heart". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
- ^ "Former Canadiens coach Claude Ruel dead at 76". Sportsnet. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "Former Habs coach Ruel dead at 76". TSN. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics from The Internet Hockey Database
- Claude Ruel profile at the Montreal Canadiens historical site