Guy Carbonneau Signs Contract Extension With Canadiens

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Guy Carbonneau will be behind the bench for the Montreal Canadiens for the foreseeable future.

General Manager Bob Gainey announced that Carbonneau has signed a contract extension with the club. Gainey made the announcement when he met the media this morning.

Gainey wouldn't disclose the duration or dollar figures of the deal.

Carbonneau himself was vague with the details, he would only say "it's more than one year and less than 10."

Carbonneau was in the final year of a three year contract. In his two seasons behind the Canadiens' bench, the club has an 89-59-16 record.

''We've had a deal in place for quite some time,'' Carbonneau said. ''I'm very happy. I have the chance to stay with a good group of players and to be part of an excellent organization.''

In his two seasons behind the Canadiens' bench, the club has an 89-59-16 record. The former Habs captain led the club to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference last season.

''If you'd told me 10 years ago that I'd become head coach, I would have told you you were crazy,'' Carbonneau said.

''I admitted to having issues with Michel Therrien. When Bob called a few years later, the timing was perfect. On top of which, I knew the city and the organization. The transition in the end was much easier than I would have thought.

''I always wanted to be a head coach, but it took the right place and the right people.''

Gainey also announced Friday that 19-year old forward Max Pacioretty would begin the season with Montreal's AHL affilate in Hamilton.

Pacioretty recorded 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 37 games with the University of Michigan last season, and recently netted a goal and an assist in the Habs 2-1 preseason win against the Detroit Red Wings.