Times Flies: Canadiens’ St‑Louis Fifth Longest‑Tenured NHL Head Coach…read more…

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Times Flies: Canadiens’ St‑Louis Fifth Longest‑Tenured NHL Head Coach…read more…

MONTREAL, Quebec — Time truly flies in hockey’s fast-paced world, yet Martin St‑Louis has quietly etched his name among the NHL’s coaching elite. Since taking over the Montreal Canadiens on February 9, 2022—initially as an interim coach following Dominique Ducharme’s dismissal—St‑Louis has risen to become the fifth longest-tenured head coach in today’s NHL, a remarkable feat considering his brief résumé behind the bench .

The 48‑year‑old Laval native, whose celebrated playing career included 1,033 points over 1,134 regular-season games and a 2004 Stanley Cup, was officially named permanent Canadiens coach at the close of the 2021–22 season . In April 2024, Montreal embraced the continuity he brought, exercising a two-year option to extend his contract through 2026–27 .

That endorsement came despite the Canadiens enduring three consecutive seasons of battles, finishing last in 2021–22 and near the bottom in the subsequent two campaigns . Through it all, St‑Louis has maintained his role, credited largely to Montreal’s organizational patience and steadfast rebuild strategy .

The coaching tenures ahead of him remain formidable. Only Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay, since 2013), Mike Sullivan (Pittsburgh, 2015), Jared Bednar (Colorado, 2016), Rod Brind’Amour (Carolina, 2018), and newly installed André Tourigny (2021) surpass St‑Louis on the NHL longevity leaderboard . Following recent coaching changes—most notably Toronto’s dismissal of Sheldon Keefe—St‑Louis rose even in the rankings, currently sitting in sixth place overall .

Fans and analysts alike have taken note. According to HabsFanatics, “only five NHL head coaches have more seniority than Martin St‑Louis,” declaring him “incredible” for how quickly he climbed . A Reddit discussion mirrored that sentiment, lauding his impact on culture and player morale:

> “They’re on each other’s team… I credit that to Marty and the way he holds court with these guys.”

Given Canadiens’ front office support, the question isn’t how he rose, but how long he’ll stay. GM Kent Hughes has praised St‑Louis’s adaptability and analytical approach [4]—qualities that underpin his long-term value .

What sets St‑Louis apart is his player-friendly, developmental-first style. Former NHLer and analysts note his ability to connect and cultivate younger talent—“development whisperer,” they call him—having helped shape breakout seasons for Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, Lane Hutson and others . His optimism and motivational prowess, highlighted throughout the team’s rebuild, paid dividends during an impressive 2024–25 season, which saw the Canadiens clinch a playoff spot after years of missed contention .

That breakthrough solidified St‑Louis’s positive influence: dressing room veterans and rookies alike credit their belief and cohesion to his steady guidance . As former Canadiens coach Alain Vigneault observed, St‑Louis’s poise and passion continue a legacy of leadership in Montreal .

Now, as the NHL landscape evolves, the Canadiens’ faithful watch closely. With St‑Louis entering his fourth season and counting, he stands firmly among the league’s coaching milestones. He may not hold the longest tenure in history—legends like Scotty‑Bowman, Toe Blake or Maurice Richard remain untouchable—but in today’s league, characterized by churn and change, Martin St‑Louis’s enduring role on the Canadiens’ bench is nothing short of extraordinary.

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