Habs hire J.J. Daigneault as an assistant coach

After a busy week, the Marc Bergevin era of the Montreal Canadiens is starting to come into focus. The new Michel Therrien-helmed coaching staff was bolstered further today as they added Jean-Jacques (“J.J.”) Daigneault as an assistant coach.

“I am extremely happy to welcome Jean-Jacques Daigneault to our coaching staff,” Therrien said. “He brings a solid expertise, and his knowledge of the game will be an important asset to the development of our young players. Our group of defensemen will largely benefit from his experience and his solid reputation as a coach.”

Daigneault is probably best remembered for his 18-year NHL career. (Habs fans should be warm to him to start considering the fact that one of his seasons came with Montreal in 1993, the last time the Canadiens won a Stanley Cup. He played six overall with Montreal.)

Here’s a quick summary of his coaching career via the Canadiens:

Jean-Jacques Daigneault, 46, was as assistant coach for the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League (the franchise was renamed Connecticut Whale in 2010-11) for the past five seasons (2007 to 2012). He helped his team to seasons of 110, 99, 83, 88 and 86 points and a playoff berth each year during his five-year stay with Hartford. He took on coaching in 2005-2006 when he joined the ECHL’s Phoenix Roadrunners as an assistant coach, also working as director of player personnel.