And-O- as someone who has known him a along time (way back when he was coming into the AHL in Fredericton as a member of the old Nordiques), I have seen Claude grow alot as a coach. When he was coaching in Hull I remember him getting animated alot behind the bench. I can tell you one thing. When play stops and those guys are in the dressing room, if they have screwed up they hear it. Claude has given me advice on coaching. I used to rant anrave and scream at the refs if the call was missed. And when I did, I found that the players all got off track and off focus. Claude has learned to channel his emotions now and I can tell you, when I see him rolling his eyes and biting his lip., you would not want to hear what is being said under his breath. Like he told me it is a very fine line between animation and distraction behind the bench. Like I said last week, look at Pat Quinn. He is always hollering back there at the officials. Then what do his players do? They get all off track and start whining and losing focus.

Claude has a style. He tries to remain at an even keel at all times. That is why you do not see his players panic and get distracted when they get a bunch of 5 on 3's.  They go out and do their job.  As well, you will not see Claude emberass a guy in front of his teamates. He will eiether talk to him one on one on the bench or he will take him in his office after., The players respect him for that. Technically, I can tell you that Claude is a student of the game. Hi sstudy in his house is FULL of books on coaching and hockey and he has enough VHS tape to go around the world (although he and his wife recently had their first daughter so I suspect tapes of her will be competing for space now). He is very well prepared for every game and practice.

He also has no illussions of being in Montreal forever. He knows that there will come a day where the team goes into a spin and he moves on. He lives in Orleans now (outside Ottawa) and commutes. That is where he grew up.  He enjoys the drive to the rink from Ottawa as he says it is the only time he gets to collect his thoughts and make his phone calls (he has called me a few times at 6 am on his way to the rink). The bottom line with him is that he is tough, but really cares about his players. He gives 110% percent and he expects the same. That is why Dags is sitting.

Anyway, I hope this has given some of you some insight to this guy. To me, he is still the guy in my wedding picture (uggghhhh..I am divorced) in the tuxedo that got awfully drunk with me at my stag party.

 

And-O, in regards to Julien not being animated enough on the bench, might I remind you of what happened to Michel Therrien in the 2002 playoffs against Carolina? I loved how he cared about his team and was very passionate. It was one of his best qualities, but at the same time, the worst thing could do. One could argue that his bench penalty cost us the series, and all because he yelled at Kerry Fraser.

I for one an happy Claude Julien keeps his cool even in the toughest situations.

Honestly, guys like Mike Keenan have no business coaching. You absolutely NEED to keep your composure on the bench to keep your guys focused and respecting you.