Therrien returns to coach Canadiens

MONTREAL, June 5 (UPI) -- Michel Therrien, who last coached the team about nine years ago, is returning as coach of the Montreal Canadiens, the NHL team said Tuesday.

Therrien, 48, coached Montreal from November 2000 through January 2003, helping the team to a playoff berth in the only full season (2001-02) he was behind the bench. The Canadiens are 77-77-36 under Therrien.

He'll replace Jacques Martin, who was fired 32 games in the last season and interim coach Randy Cunneyworth. The Canadiens were 31-35-16 in 2011-12 and missed in the playoffs for the first time in five years and had an Eastern Conference-low 78 points.

Montreal also brought in Marc Bergevin as general manager.

In addition to coaching Montreal, Therrien coached the Pittsburgh Penguins from December 2005-February 2009. The Penguins reached the Stanley Cup finals, losing to Detroit, with Therrien as coach in 2008. He was 135-105-32 with Pittsburgh.