Boston, with coach Claude Julien at the helm, enters the 2009-10 season as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender after improvement in each of the last two seasons. (Charles Krupa/Associated Press)Claude Julien, the Jack Adams Trophy winner as top coach in the NHL last season, has signed a multi-year contract extension with the Boston Bruins.
The Bruins went from eighth place to first in the Eastern Conference last season, a 22-point improvement, before bowing out in the second round of the playoffs. In his two seasons at the helm, Boston is 94-48-22.
"Claude has shown a tremendous propensity to get the maximum results out of our team," said general manager Peter Chiarelli. "To me, he's a guy who can connect. He's a roll-up-your-sleeves type of guy that connects with the players. He commands the respect that a coach needs to get to be successful while maintaining a common-sense, humble approach."
Julien, 49, signed on in by Boston in 200 7 after Chiarelli's original hire as coach, Dave Lewis, was fired.
Julien spent three seasons overall behind the bench with the Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils. His overall NHL record is 213-134-45, with 10 ties.
After a lengthy pro career as a defenceman, Julien coached Hull in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Hamilton in the American Hockey League before reaching the NHL.
The Bruins did not release specific details of the deal.
