MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens have hired Derek Lalonde as an associate coach, the team announced Monday.
The 53-year-old spent last season as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs after serving as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings from 2022-24.
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Lalonde was previously an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning, helping the club win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021.
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He has more than 20 years of coaching experience, including stops in the American Hockey League, ECHL and USHL.
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The Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference final last season before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in five games.
Montreal opens the 2026-27 regular season Sept. 29 against the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 20, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press