Montreal Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey
has decided to step down from his post and hand the reins over to Pierre
Gauthier, the club announced on Monday.
"After a long and difficult period of reflection, I have decided to
step down as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens," Gainey said an
afternoon press conference. "Effective today, those responsibilities fall to
my friend, Pierre Gauthier. I've done my best, and now it's time for me to
pass the torch."
Gauthier, who served as the Canadiens' assistant GM since July 2006, will take
over as both general manager and executive vice president.
The 56-year-old Montreal native came to the Habs in 2003 after serving with
the Anaheim and Ottawa organizations, beginning his career with the Quebec
Nordiques from 1981-93 in the scouting department.
Gainey had served as the team's general manager since June 2003, and the
Habs have posted a 241-176-46-7 record with four playoff appearances since his
hiring.
In 2007-08, the Canadiens went 47-25-10 and finished first in the Eastern
Conference with 104 points. Montreal was then upended by the Philadelphia
Flyers in a five-game conference semifinal series. Montreal also suffered the
indignity of a first-round four-game defeat to bitter rival Boston in last
season's playoffs during the franchise's 100th anniversary celebrations.
During his tenure with the club, Gainey also served as head coach for the
second half of 2005-06 before handing the job to Guy Carbonneau following the
season.
As a player, Gainey spent all 16 years of his NHL career with the team,
winning five Stanley Cups in six tries.
Following his time in the NHL, the 56-year-old became the head coach of the
Minnesota North Stars in 1990-91, helping the team get to the Stanley Cup
Finals. Serving as the head coach until 1996, when the team was located in
Dallas, he was also the franchise's general manager from 1992-2002 and guided
the Stars to a 1999 Stanley Cup championship.
"The support that we've had from our new generation of fans, along with the
old tradition and that the bridge between our old and new fans is complete,"
Gainey said when asked what he'll remember most about his tenure in the front
office. "We've been in the playoffs steadily the whole time and that's been a
good thing."
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