Bruins, Claude Julien renew acquaintances

MONTREAL – More than 11 months after Claude Julien was fired by the Bruins, his former players will get a chance to face him Saturday night in the first meeting of the year between the coach’s former club, and his present one, the Montreal Canadiens.

“It has a little more meaning tonight for the guys in the room who worked with Claude,’’ said Bruce Cassidy, who spent the first half of last season as Julien’s assistant before taking over the club upon the dismissal. “Obviously, they won a Stanley Cup together and shared that experience. You can’t trade that for the world. Once the puck drops, I think everybody’s focused on their own jobs – coaches, players, everyone involved. Like I said, I hope it’s a good (result) for us.’’

Center Patrice Bergeron saw his career blossom under Julien’s tutelage and is forever grateful for having had the chance to play for him.

“He’s been obviously huge for my career and he’s done a tremendous job in Boston,’’ Bergeron said. “He’s definitely still remembered and we all appreciate what he’s done. Obviously, when you’re on the ice, you play the game and you want to win. You don’t think about all that stuff. But hopefully, I’ll have a chance to see him tonight and shake his hand and say 'Hi.' I wish him all the best.

“He always found a way to push me to be better and to learn. Claude was always really good about the details of the game and making sure I was working on those. There’s also the human side, off-ice, and helping me to become a better leader and a better person. He’s had a huge impact on my career.’’

No single player on the current B’s roster, however, owes a bigger debt to Julien than Brad Marchand. Marchand went from being a chippy, occasionally out-of-control undersized player, to a perennial All-Star, and in large part, he has Julien to thank.

“I knew that everything that he did, he did because he wanted me to better,’’ Marchand said. “He did a lot for me. If a coach is hard on you, it’s because he expects a lot from you and wants you to be better. I’m very grateful for the way he treated me and pushed me and wanted me to be better and pushed me to be a better player.

"I think the biggest thing (he taught me) was probably respecting the game. Instead of stirring the pot, he wanted me to play the game. Another big thing was putting me with (Bergeron). He really pushed me to watch him and learn the way he played and trained and took care of himself off the ice. He pushed me to be a better pro. I think that was the biggest thing – not to be satisfied and push for more and more.’’

Goaltender Tuukka Rask went from being an untested rookie to a Vezina Trophy winner under Julien.

“He trusted me,’’ Rask said. “He gave me a chance to play. It was clear that if you work hard and practice hard, he’ll give you a chance. That was my case. I had a chance with play with Timmy (Thomas) many years and had a great relationship with Timmy and with Claude and I have a huge amount of respect for him.’’

But Task hardly seemed like he was caught up in much sentiment leading up to Saturday’s night reunion.

“It’s just one game, obviously,’’ Rask said. “He had a long career with us in Boston and did great things with the organization. He’s coaching another team now and it doesn’t really matter. I won’t be looking at the bench.’’