The winter air in Davos is razor-sharp, slicing through the Alps as spotlights flicker to life inside the Vaillant Arena. Amid the swirling snow and the echo of skates on fresh ice, a familiar silhouette emerges from the shadows—Michel Therrien, eyes focused, jaw set, his unmistakable presence commanding attention before a single puck has dropped. For hockey fans across Canada, this is not just another tournament; it’s the return of a figure who has shaped legends and survived storms, now stepping back into the fire for a mission only he could accept.

There’s an electric charge in the air, a sense that something extraordinary is about to unfold. Therrien’s name, announced as head coach for Team Canada at the 2025 Spengler Cup, has sparked a wave of nostalgia and curiosity. Just months ago, he bid farewell to the hockey world, his retirement seemingly final—a curtain call for a career that spanned decades, defined by triumphs and heartbreaks behind the Canadiens’ bench. Now, in a twist that few saw coming, he’s back, flanked by a staff of seasoned minds and reunited with Marc Bergevin, the architect of Montreal’s Price-Subban era.

What does it mean for Therrien to return, not to the daily grind of NHL scrutiny, but to the high-stakes, six-day sprint for one of hockey’s oldest and most coveted trophies? The answer is shrouded in anticipation. Therrien’s legacy in Montreal is etched in the numbers: 542 regular-season games, 271 wins, a 50-win campaign, and a trip to the Eastern Conference Final. Yet, his journey has always been about more than statistics—it’s about resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, even when the odds are stacked high and the critics louder than ever.

Behind the bench, the chemistry between Therrien and Bergevin is undeniable. Their partnership, forged in the cauldron of Montreal’s hockey fever, now finds new life on the international stage. Bergevin, himself a lightning rod for debate during his time as Canadiens GM, brings a wealth of experience and a hunger for redemption after declining a lucrative extension and moving on from Montreal. Together, they form a Quebec-heavy brain trust tasked with restoring Canada’s Spengler Cup glory—a challenge steeped in tradition and expectation.

For fans, this reunion is more than a coaching appointment. It’s a chance to revisit the drama and excitement of an era that defined modern Canadiens history. The Spengler Cup, with its whirlwind format and festive timing, offers a stage for old heroes to chase new dreams, free from the relentless pressure of the NHL. Team Canada’s quest for its first title since 2019 is about pride, legacy, and the thrill of competition—each game a test, each victory a step closer to immortality.

As the tournament approaches, questions swirl: Can Therrien recapture the magic? Will the reunion with Bergevin spark another run of dominance? Or is this simply a nostalgic echo, a reminder of what once was? The answers await on the ice, where every shift and every decision could tilt the balance between glory and heartbreak.

In Davos, under the winter lights, Michel Therrien’s story begins anew. And for those watching, the only certainty is that nothing about this return will be ordinary.

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.

In his NHL career, the 62-year-old Quebecer totals 406 regular-season wins with the Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. His journey appeared to come full circle last fall when he announced his retirement from the hockey and media world, before answering this call from Team Canada for a very specific mission.

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.