Claude Ruel (September 12, 1938 – February 9, 2015) was a professional

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...

coach for the

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

of the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(NHL). Ruel grew up playing hockey in Sherbrooke. He was considered to be a promising young defensive talent, despite his diminutive stature. However, during a game in 1958, he was struck in the eye by a deflected puck. Following the injury, he was hospitalized for three months, but his eyesight could not be restored. In the early 1960s, Ruel received his first coaching job, taking a position with the Montreal Junior Canadiens. He became a key part of the Montreal farm system, serving as one of the team's top scouts. He later was elevated to the front office of the NHL club and served as director of player developmen

Ruel was hired to coach the Habs in 1968–69 NHL season, 1968, replacing the legendary Toe Blake. He led a talented group of players to a

Stanley Cup The Stanley Cup () is the championship trophy awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoff champion. It is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise in North America, and the International Ic ...

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 director of player development, but he took over as Montreal coach again in 1979, leading the team for one and a half years during the waning days of the 1970s dynasty. Ruel died on February 9, 2015.

Coaching record

References

External links

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Claude Ruel profile
at the Montreal Canadiens historical site 1938 births 2015 deaths Canadian ice hockey coaches Montreal Canadiens coaches Montreal Canadiens executives Montreal Canadiens scouts Ice hockey people from Sherbrooke Stanley Cup champions Stanley Cup championship–winning head coaches {{Canada-icehockey-coach-stub