The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) head coach Michel Therrien, it was announced today by general manager Craig Patrick. In accordance with club policy, terms of the contract were not released.
Therrien, 41, recently concluded his second season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton by guiding the Penguins’ American Hockey League affiliate to their second straight berth in the Calder Cup playoffs, in the process setting a new club record for most points in a season (92). In 2003-04, Therrien led the Penguins to a berth in the Calder Cup Finals.
“Michel’s done a terrific job over the last two seasons developing our young prospects in Wilkes-Barre and at the same time teaching them how to win together as a group,” said Patrick. “Michel’s a great coach and teacher and we’re thrilled to have him back with the Penguins’ organization as we move forward.”
Therrien was named head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on July 15, 2003 after spending six seasons in the Montreal Canadiens organization, including parts of three seasons as their head coach where he compiled a record of 77-91-22 and led the Canadiens to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2001-02.
Therrien played three seasons in the AHL (1983-85, 86-87), and won a Calder Cup with Sherbrooke in 1985. He went on to serve as head coach of the AHL’s Fredericton Canadiens (1997-99) and Quebec Citadelles (1999-2001) before being promoted to Montreal.
