The Montreal Canadiens have brought aboard Derek Lalonde as their new associate coach, the team revealed on Monday. Lalonde, aged 53, comes with a wealth of experience, having most recently served as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to that, he led as head coach for the Detroit Red Wings from 2022 to 2024.
Having previously worked as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Lalonde played a pivotal role in the team’s consecutive Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021. With over 20 years of coaching under his belt, Lalonde has made significant contributions across various hockey leagues including the American Hockey League, ECHL, and USHL.
The Canadiens’ impressive run last season saw them reach the Eastern Conference final, eventually falling short to the Carolina Hurricanes in a five-game series. Montreal will kick off the upcoming 2026-27 regular season on September 29, facing off against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto.
