Habs name Bergevin GM; Cunneyworth won't be head coach

Montreal, QC – The Montreal Canadiens have named Marc Bergevin their new general manager.

Bergevin, a well-traveled defenseman for 20 years in the NHL from 1984-2004, had spent the past seven years in various front office roles for the Chicago Blackhawks. He was the club's assistant general manager under Stan Bowman for the 2011-12 season.

A Montreal native, Bergevin was also an assistant coach, scout and director of player personnel with Chicago after his playing days ended. He began his career with the Blackhawks after the club selected him in the third round of the 1983 draft.

"I took this position because I know that I'm ready," Bergevin said at a news conference Wednesday. "If I wasn't, I wouldn't be sitting here today."

Bergevin's first order of business on Wednesday was to announce that interim head coach Randy Cunneyworth would return to his position as an assistant. Cunneyworth took over for the fired Jacques Martin on December 17.

The Canadiens finished last in the Eastern Conference this season with a record of 31-35-16.

Bergevin notched 36 goals and 145 assists for 181 points in 1,191 games with the Blackhawks, New York Islanders, Hartford Whalers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks.

The Canadiens needed a replacement at GM for Pierre Gauthier, who was fired in late March.