Canadiens add Lacroix, Ramage to coaching staff

Daniel Lacroix has been hired as an assistant coach by the Montreal Canadiens, the team announced Wednesday.

The Montreal native spent the past eight seasons working as an assistant coach, including last season with the New York Rangers, who advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. Lacroix spent three seasons on the Tampa Bay Lightning coaching staff, was with Montreal's American Hockey League affiliate in Hamilton in 2009-10, and coached three seasons with the New York Islanders.

He will be located behind the bench during games after working from the press box for the Rangers.

"To have a chance to join a team like this and a staff like this is great," Lacroix told the Canadiens website. "It’s just a step up. It’s an opportunity to work for a great organization and an opportunity to work with great people. It's an opportunity to get back behind the bench, get closer to the action and have a bigger role on a day-to-day basis."

Lacroix replaces Gerard Gallant, who coached for two seasons in Montreal before being named coach of the Florida Panthers on June 21.

"We are very pleased to welcome Dan Lacroix as part of our coaching staff. Daniel earned the respect of his peers for his coaching skills and his impressive knowledge of the game. He has worked as a coach for almost 15 years, including seven seasons as assistant coach in the NHL," Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said. "He knows the Canadiens organization and his experience at the professional level made him a much-coveted candidate. He is an excellent addition to our coaching staff and to the Canadiens organization."

The Canadiens also announced the hiring of Rob Ramage as player development coach.

The first pick in the 1979 NHL Draft by the Colorado Rockies, Ramage spent the past two seasons working as an amateur scout with the St. Louis Blues. He spent one season as an assistant coach with the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights. As a player, Ramage won the Stanley Cup twice, including with the Canadiens in 1993.

"We welcome Rob Ramage as part of our hockey personnel. Rob is a dedicated and competent hockey person who will contribute to our player development group," general manager Marc Bergevin said. "Our entire organization, and particularly our young defensemen, will benefit from his experience and his knowledge."