Some wanted someone more experienced. But finally, Stéphane Robidas was named assistant coach of the Canadiens.
He joins Alex Burrows and Trevor Letowski, two former NHLers, but without any experience behind a bench for a team on the Bettman circuit before their time in Montreal… like a certain Martin St-Louis.
On the other hand, Robidas has a lot of experience, but at other levels. See Martin Therriault’s report in the video above.
Unlike St. Louis, Burrows and Letowski, Robidas played for the Canadiens. 7th round pick in 1995, he spent two seasons in Montreal in a rather quiet role. He mainly established himself in the NHL with the Dallas Stars. He notably has a 41-point season and participated in the All-Star Game in Montreal in 2009.
He also played in Chicago, Anaheim and Toronto. Grand total: 937 NHL games.
Among the head coaches he knew: Michel Therrien, Alain Vigneault, Dave Tippett, Marc Crawford, Lindy Ruff and Bruce Boudreau.
A useful experience
After his career, the native of Sherbrooke became assistant, then director of player development for the Maple Leafs.
In Toronto, he rubbed shoulders with defensemen Justin Holl, Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin, among others.
Robidas himself does not hide it: it is this stay which will particularly serve him in Montreal.
So far, no experience behind the bench…until last year. Robidas made a comeback, when he took the helm of the Cantonniers de Magog, in the Quebec M18AAA League.
He leads the Cantonniers to the Jimmy-Ferrari cup, awarded to the champions of the M18AAA League. In Magog, people praised his qualities as a communicator with young people.
Robidas may not have any NHL coaching experience. But that’s pretty much the only thing he hasn’t known in the hockey world.