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Michel Therrien

Michel Therrien is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman and coach from Montreal, Quebec.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Michel Therrien is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman and coach from Montreal, Quebec. He coached in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins, and later served as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers. He also coached in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he was inducted into the league’s Hall of Fame as a builder.

Playing career

Therrien played junior hockey in the QMJHL and later played professionally in the American Hockey League. His playing career included a Calder Cup championship with Sherbrooke in 1985.

Junior and minor-league coaching

Before and alongside his NHL work, Therrien coached in the QMJHL and became one of the league’s most successful coaches by winning percentage. He also built his reputation through minor-league coaching roles.

NHL coaching career

Therrien coached the Montreal Canadiens twice, led the Pittsburgh Penguins, and later joined the Philadelphia Flyers as an assistant coach. His NHL career included more than one long coaching stint and a return to Montreal after time away from the league.

Recognition and later career

Therrien was honoured by the QMJHL for his contributions to the league. He also coached Canada at the 2025 Spengler Cup, marking an international coaching role.

Key facts

  • Michel Therrien is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman and coach.
  • He coached the Montreal Canadiens in two separate NHL stints and also coached the Pittsburgh Penguins.
  • He won the 1985 Calder Cup with the Sherbrooke Canadiens as a player.
  • He posted one of the strongest all-time winning percentages as a head coach in the QMJHL.
  • Therrien was inducted into the QMJHL Hall of Fame as a builder.
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Canadian context

Therrien is a Canadian hockey figure from Montreal whose career spans the QMJHL, the AHL, and the NHL. He is notable to Canadian readers for his long association with the Montreal Canadiens and for coaching Canada at the 2025 Spengler Cup.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Michel Therrien?
He is a Canadian former hockey defenceman and coach best known for coaching the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL.
When was Michel Therrien born?
He was born on November 4, 1963, in Montreal, Quebec.
What teams did Michel Therrien coach in the NHL?
He coached the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and later served as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers.
What did Michel Therrien win as a player?
He won the Calder Cup in 1985 with the Sherbrooke Canadiens of the AHL.
What is Michel Therrien known for in the QMJHL?
He was one of the league’s most successful coaches by winning percentage and was inducted into the QMJHL Hall of Fame as a builder.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Therrien
    Supports: Birth date and place; playing career; NHL coaching roles; 2025 Spengler Cup note
  2. CHL / LHJMQ — https://chl.ca/lhjmq/michel-therrien/
    Supports: QMJHL coaching record; birthplace; Hall of Fame induction; playing background
  3. CHL / LHJMQ — https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/qmjhl-alumnus-michel-therrien-appointed-head-coach-of-the-montreal-canadiens/
    Supports: QMJHL success; Calder Cup; Canadiens coaching history
  4. Elite Prospects — https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/76012/michel-therrien
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, nationality, position, height, weight, status
  5. CBC Sports — https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/michel-therrien-returns-as-canadiens-head-coach-1.1154781
    Supports: Canadiens head coach return