Montreal Canadiens' GM Marc Bergevin Is Already Proving Himself to Habs' Fans

Patrice Brisebois and Martin Lapointe have joined the Montreal Canadiens' front office.

Brisebois, a former Canadiens’ defensemen, was hired as a player development coach. Lapointe, best known for his time in Detroit, was hired as the director of player development.

These are just the most recent hires by the Habs’ new GM Marc Bergevin, who continues to make the right moves in Montreal.

Bergevin was introduced as the GM of the Montreal Canadiens' on May 2. Since then, Bergevin has filled the various voids in the Habs' organization by hiring a number of experienced hockey minds, most of whom are Quebec natives. 

Rick Dudley

Dudley was hired on May 25 as an assistant GM. Dudley has experience as an NHL head coach, most notably with the Buffalo Sabres in the early 1990s. Dudley served as the GM of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2010, signing free agents Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien. Last year, Dudley was the director of player personnel with the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

Scott Mellanby

Mellanby was hired as the director of player personnel on May 28. Mellanby, a Montreal native, was drafted in the first round of the 1984 NHL draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. Mellanby was a member of the 1996 Florida Panthers team that went all the way to the finals. However, Mellanby may be best remembered for his actions off the ice that year.

In the Florida dressing room Mellanby killed a rat with his stick, which led to fans throwing toy rats on the ice following a Florida goal. After retiring, Mellanby spent time with the Canucks and Blues as a consultant and assistant coach. 

Michel Therrien 

Therrien was hired as head coach on June 5. Born in Montreal, this is Therrian's second stint with the Habs', having coached the team between 2000 and 2003. Therrian has coached more than 450 NHL games and led the Pittsburgh Penguins to the 2008 Stanley Cup Final. 

Patrice Brisebois

Brisebois was hired on June 13, along with Martin Lapointe and will serve as a player development coach. Brisebois was born in Montreal and spent 16 years as a defenseman with his hometown team. Brisebois played 1,009 NHL games, the third most by a Habs' blueliner. He was a member of the Canadiens last Stanley Cup winning team in 1993.

Martin Lapointe

Lapointe is now the Canadiens' director of player development. Lapointe was drafted 10th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 1991. Lapointe won cups with the Red Wings in 1997 and 1998, scoring the cup winning goal 1998. Most recently, Lapointe served as a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Marc Bergevin has already begun to prove himself as a GM in the NHL, only a month and a half after being hired. Bergevin has given the Montreal faithful the personnel they desire—Quebec natives with winning experience. 

What's next for Bergevin and the Canadiens? The NHL entry draft on June 22 and 23 in Pittsburgh.