Nearly two weeks after initial reports surfaced, the Montreal Canadiens have confirmed that Derek Lalonde will be joining the club’s coaching staff.
He’ll replace assistant coach Trevor Letowski behind the bench. Letowski stepped away after five seasons with the organization under two head coaches.
Lalonde will receive a title bump compared to his predecessor by being named an associate to head coach Martin St. Louis.
Lalonde was the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings from 2022-2024. The native of Brasher Falls, NY won two Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts bested the Habs in five games in the 2021 final.
Last season, Lalonde served as an assistant coach under Craig Berube on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Prior to joining the NHL ranks, he served as a head coach in the AHL, ECHL and USHL.
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