Photo of Michel Therrien

Photo credit: Dave Sidaway /Montreal Gazette

Michel Therrien is returning behind the bench for Team Canada at the 2025 Spengler Cup in Davos.

Today, Hockey Canada unveiled its coaching staff for the tournament, with Therrien named head coach of Team Canada. He will be supported by Drew Bannister, Rob Cookson, Patrice Lefebvre, and video coach Jérémy Coupal for the event running from December 26 to 31.Behind this appointment is a very familiar face for Canadiens fans: Marc Bergevin. The former general manager of the Canadiens is acting as general manager of Team Canada for the Spengler Cup, reuniting with the coach he hired in Montreal in 2012-a duo that marked the Price and Subban era.

In Montreal, Michel Therrien coached 542 regular-season games behind the Canadiens’ bench. He collected 271 wins, 198 losses, 23 ties, and 50 overtime defeats, while leading the Canadiens to a 50-win, 110-point season in 2014-2015 as well as an Eastern Conference Final in 2014.

Michel Therrien reunites with Marc Bergevin

“Michel Therrien will lead Canada as head coach at the Spengler Cup, working alongside an experienced staff.”

– Hockey Canada

For Marc Bergevin, this is a new chapter after his highly publicized tenure in Montreal and his current role as advisor in Los Angeles. We remember that he declined a three-year extension at three million dollars per season with the Canadiens before being dismissed-a context that makes this reunion even more intriguing.

As for the tournament, the mandate is clear for this Quebec-heavy group behind the bench. Canada is aiming for its first Spengler Cup title since 2019, having already dominated the event’s history with 16 championships, including four titles in five years between 2015 and 2019.

Team Canada will face HC Davos and the American Collegiate Selects in the preliminary round, with a first game scheduled for December 26 against the American collegiate players. All tournament games will be broadcast on sports television nationwide, perfect for filling holiday afternoons.

Canadiens fans know this tournament well, as it has often welcomed members of the organization. Nicolas Beaudin and Noel Hoefenmayer were recently released by the club to represent the country, proof that the link between Montreal and Davos remains very much alive year after year.

This time, it is two former pillars of the Canadiens’ recent era who will wear Canada’s colors-but behind the bench.

For many, it will be a nostalgic trip back in time, without the daily pressure of Montreal, but with a prestigious trophy to chase in just six days.

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Former Canadiens coach Michel Therrien lands new head-coach role in surprise return behind the bench

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