"We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Kirk Muller and are extremely happy about his desire to return to the Canadiens organization," Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin said in a statement. "Kirk brings a great deal of experience, determination and leadership, and I have no doubt that these qualities will be essential for our coaching staff."
Muller, 50, spent the past two seasons as an assistant for the St. Louis Blues, who on Tuesday signed Ken Hitchcock to a one-year contract to continue as coach.
Muller was coach of the Carolina Hurricanes from 2011-14, when he was 80-80-27. He was an assistant with the Canadiens from 2006-11 after playing for Montreal from 1991-95.
He had 247 points (104 goals, 143 assists) in 267 games, won the Stanley Cup in 1993, and was named captain during the 1994-95 season.
"Kirk has a thorough knowledge of the Montreal market, he enjoyed success as a player, and as captain of the Canadiens, and these assets will certainly contribute to the success of our team," Bergevin said.
The No. 2 pick in the 1984 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils (behind Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins), Muller played 19 seasons in the NHL. The left wing had 959 points (357 goals, 602 assists) in 1,349 games and retired as a player on Sept. 2, 2003.
