MONTREAL – When your job description includes making decisions that are supposed to bring a Stanley Cup to the most storied franchise in NHL history, the pressure can be a bit overwhelming. In fact, it can even be enough to crush legends. Monday afternoon, the Montreal Canadiens held a press conference to announce that General Manager Bob Gainey, one of the franchise’s legendary players, has decided to step aside effective immediately. He will stay with the team as a consultant. Pierre Gauthier, Gainey’s assistant, will take over as Executive Vice-President and General Manager. “After a long and difficult period of reflection, I’ve decided to leave my post as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens,” Gainey said. “Effective today those responsibilities belong to my friend and colleague Pierre Gauthier.” The 56-year old Gainey took over the helm of the Canadiens’ franchise in 2003, becoming just the 15th general manager in team history. During his tenure, Montreal posted a 241-176-46-7 record and qualified for the playoffs in four of the five full seasons in that time. This season, the Canadiens are 28-26-6 and sitting in the sixth place position in the Eastern Conference standings. Prior to returning to Montreal, Gainey had a very successful run as coach and general manager of the Minnesota North Stars / Dallas Stars franchise. He guided the North Stars to the Stanley Cup finals in 1991 and later was part of Dallas’ Cup victory in 1999. “I’ve done my best and now it’s time for me to pass the torch. I believe that the general manager position requires a long-term vision and a long-term commitment,” Gainey said. “At this point, I’m not prepared to make a commitment of four or five or six more years in this position. If I had to choose between leaving a little earlier or a little later, I’d prefer earlier.” Gauthier is no stranger to the general manager’s chair. He held the same position with the Ottawa Senators from 1995-1998 and the Anaheim Ducks from 1998-2002. He was a scout for the Quebec Nordiques from 1981-1983 and served as assistant general manager for the Ducks from 1993-1995 before returning to joining the Senators. He joined the Montreal staff in 2003 as Director of Professional Scouting and became assistant general manager in July 2006. Gauthier also worked with Gainey and Bobby Clarke as general managers of the Canadian National team at the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan as well as the 1996 and 1997 Canadian teams at the World Championships in Austria and Finland respectively. “The Olympic break provides an excellent opportunity for Pierre to install himself in his new job. With the trade deadline to follow, important decisions will be made by someone who has made a long-term commitment to the organization,” Gainey said. “I’m leaving the team I love most in the hands of a man I trust most. I look forward to assisting Pierre and the team in our pursuit of our 25th Stanley Cup.” Gauthier already has a head start, having worked with Canadiens coach Jacques Martin in both Ottawa and Quebec. “I like this team and I like the coaching staff,” Gauthier said. “I’ve worked with Jacques before and I’m very comfortable with this group. As soon as I leave this room today, I’m going to roll up my sleeves and get the job done.” Contact the author at don.money@prohockeynews.com
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