Montreal Canadiens’ Press Release
MONTREAL — Claude Ruel passes away at the age of 76.
It is with a great deal of sadness that the Montreal Canadiens organization learned on Monday of the passing of Claude Ruel. Mr. Ruel was 76 years old.
A native of Sherbrooke, QC, Ruel was born on September 12, 1938.
He was twice named head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, first between 1968 and 1970, then again between 1979 and 1981. Over the span of 305 career games behind the Canadiens bench, he registered a remarkable 172 wins, 82 losses and 51 ties.
During his first season as head coach, Ruel led the Canadiens to a 16th championship, becoming the 11th head coach in NHL history to lift the Stanley Cup during his rookie year. Over his two stints in Montreal, Ruel coached a number of Canadiens legends, including Yvan Cournoyer, Jean Beliveau, Henri Richard, and Serge Savard.