Bruins sign coach Julien to contract extension

The Boston Bruins signed coach Claude Julien to a contract extension, the team announced Sunday.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported Saturday that it is a three-year extension.

The Bruins have advanced to the Stanley Cup Playoffs every season since Julien was named the coach June 21, 2007. He won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011, advanced to the Cup Final in 2013 and holds the franchise record for postseason wins (57).

"[Sunday] morning, Claude and I finalized the terms of a multiyear contract extension agreement for him," Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said in a statement. "We have worked at this for a few months, but there was never any doubt in my mind that this would get done. Claude is one of the top coaches in the NHL and has consistently shown a passion for winning through his coaching."

In his eighth season behind the Bruins bench, Julien is 317-171-65 in 553 games, a .632 win percentage. Last season Boston won the Presidents' Trophy with 54 wins and 117 points.

"Coaching is a difficult profession at the best of times, and what Claude does in implementing structure in his systems and having a solid defensive foundation while allowing freedom in offensive play is no easy task," Chiarelli said. "During his time with the Bruins, he has excelled in maintaining this difficult balance, and his longevity here speaks volumes. He has coached the Bruins to a Stanley Cup and a Cup Final appearance and our goal to win with him at the helm remains the same as we move forward."

The Bruins are 7-6-0 entering their game Tuesday against the Florida Panthers despite missing captain Zdeno Chara and center David Krejci for portions of the season to this point with injuries.

"It’s been great," Bruins forward Brad Marchand said. "He's a great coach, obviously his record shows, but he really makes it easy out there. He’s always working with guys and trying to improve a player's game and I get along with him really well, and we have a good working and personal relationship so it’s been great."