Canadiens add 2 to coaching staff

MONTREAL (AP) — The Montreal Canadiens hired Dan Lacroix as assistant coach and Rob Ramage as player development coach on Wednesday.

Lacroix replaces Gerard Gallant, who left to become head coach of the Florida Panthers.

Lacroix worked as an assistant coach in the NHL for seven of the past eight seasons, including last season with the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers. He previously worked as assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2010 to 2013 and with the New York Islanders from 2006 to 2009.

The Montreal native also worked as assistant coach with the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Canadiens’ main affiliate team in the AHL during the 2009-10 season.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dan Lacroix as part of our coaching staff,” Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said in a statement. “Daniel earned the respect of his peers for his coaching skills and his impressive knowledge of the game. He has worked as a coach for almost 15 years, including seven seasons as assistant coach in the NHL.

“He knows the Canadiens organization and his experience at the professional level made him a much coveted candidate. He is an excellent addition to our coaching staff and to the Canadiens organization.”

“It’s a step up. It’s an opportunity to work for a great organization and with great people,” Lacroix said.

Lacroix had 11 goals in 188 games for five teams in the 1990s.

Ramage was employed by the St. Louis Blues organization as amateur scout for the past two seasons (2012-13 and 2013-14). He also worked as an assistant coach with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights during the 2011-12 season.

He replaced Patrice Brisebois, who left to spend more time with his family.

Ramage played 1,044 regular-season games in the NHL between 1979 and 1994 with Colorado, St. Louis, Calgary, Toronto, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Montreal and Philadelphia. He was drafted first overall by the defunct Rockies in 1979.

“Rob is a dedicated and competent hockey person who will contribute to our player development group,” general manager Marc Bergevin said. “Our entire organization, and particularly our young defensemen, will benefit from his experience and his knowledge.”

Ramage had 564 points and won the Stanley Cup with Calgary (1989) and Montreal (1993).

He spent time in prison after being convicted in 2008 of impaired driving causing death. The charge stemmed from a 2003 car accident in Woodbridge, Ontario, that claimed the life of one of Ramage’s passengers, former Chicago Blackhawk Keith Magnuson.

Ramage’s four-year sentence expired this month.

The Canadiens also announced that Rick Dudley was promoted from assistant general manager to senior vice president, hockey operations. Scott Mellanby was promoted from director of player personnel to assistant general manager, to work with Larry Carriere.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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