Claude Julien is a former professional ice hockey player and coach. Born April 23, 1960, he has an extensive career as an ice hockey player and serves as an assistant coach of the St Louis Blues in the National Hockey League. Julien competed as a defenseman in the NHL for the Quebec Nordiques after honing his skills in leagues such as the OHL, AHL, and CHL.
However, it is his coaching career where he made his name, achieving the greatest milestone in 2011, when he guided the Boston Bruins to their sixth Stanley Cup title against the Vancouver Canucks. He also led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Finals again in 2013, though they fell short against the Chicago Blackhawks. Julien has also made his name in international hockey, where he has served as head and assistant coach for Team Canada.
How many teams has Claude Julien coached?
Claude Julien's coaching career spans three decades long, as per Hockey Database. He has played the head coach role across various leagues and teams. He started his coaching journey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Hull Olympiques, where he claimed the prestigious Memorial Cup championship in 1997. He later transitioned to the American Hockey League, serving as head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs from 2000 to 2003. He also led Team Canada to a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships in 2000.
Julien established himself as one of the most accomplished coaches in the NHL. He began his NHL head coaching tenure with the Montreal Canadiens in 2003, guiding them to a 93-point season in his first full campaign. He later coached the New Jersey Devils where he led them to an impressive 47–24–8 record in the 2006–07 season before being fired by them on April 2, 2007, as per ESPN.
Julien saw the most notable success during his time with the Boston Bruins from 2007 to 2017. Under his leadership, the Bruins reached the playoffs in seven seasons, winning the 2011 Stanley Cup. He also guided the team to another Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2013 and achieved the Jack Adams Award in 2009 as the NHL's Coach of the Year. By the end of his tenure, Julien set a franchise record of 419 regular-season wins. After leaving Boston, Julien returned to the Montreal Canadiens in 2017, achieving milestones such as his 200th win with the franchise in 2021. He also contributed to international hockey success, serving as an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics, where he led the team to the gold medal, as per NBC Sports. According to NHL's official website, Julien was hired by the St. Louis Blues as an assistant coach on June 27, 2024.
| Years | Team | League | Role on Team |
| 1993-94 | Ottawa Jr. Senators | CJHL | Head Coach |
| 1994-95 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | Asst. Coach |
| 1995-96 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | Asst. Coach |
| 1996-97 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | Head Coach |
| 1997-98 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | Head Coach |
| Canada U18 | Nations Cup | Head Coach | |
| 1998-99 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | Head Coach |
| Canada U20 | WJC-20 | Asst. Coach | |
| 1999-00 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | Head Coach |
| Canada U20 | WJC-20 | Head Coach | |
| 2000-01 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | Head Coach |
| 2001-02 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | Head Coach |
| 2002-03 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | Head Coach |
| Montréal Canadiens | NHL | Head Coach | |
| 2003-04 | Montréal Canadiens | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2005-06 | Montréal Canadiens | NHL | Head Coach |
| Canada | WC | Asst. Coach | |
| 2006-07 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2007-08 | Boston Bruins | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2008-09 | Boston Bruins | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2009-10 | Boston Bruins | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2010-11 | Boston Bruins | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2011-12 | Boston Bruins | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2012-13 | Boston Bruins | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2013-14 | Boston Bruins | NHL | Head Coach |
| Canada | OG | Asst. Coach | |
| 2014-15 | Boston Bruins | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2015-16 | Boston Bruins | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2016-17 | Boston Bruins | NHL | Head Coach |
| Montréal Canadiens | NHL | Head Coach | |
| Canada | WCup | Asst. Coach | |
| 2017-18 | Montréal Canadiens | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2018-19 | Montréal Canadiens | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2019-20 | Montréal Canadiens | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2020-21 | Montréal Canadiens | NHL | Head Coach |
| 2021-22 | Canada (EHT) | EHT | Head Coach |
| Canada | OG | Head Coach | |
| Canada | WC | Head Coach | |
| Team Canada | International | Head Coach | |
| 2022-23 | HC Ambrì-Piotta | NL | Senior Advisor |
| St. Louis Blues | NHL | Scout | |
| 2023-24 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | Scout |
| 2024-25 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | Asst. Coach |
Table Source: Elite Prospects
FAQs on Claude Julien
A. Claude Julian retired from playing in 1992. However, he is serving as an assistant coach for the St. Louise Blues in the NHL, as of January 2025.
A. Claude Julian led the Bruins to the 2011 Stanley Cup victory.
A.Claude Julian was named the assistant coach of the Blues on June 27, 2024.
A. Claude Julien won the Stanley Cup as a head coach of the Boston Bruins.
