MONTREAL -- Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced Thursday the appointment of Stéphane Waite as goaltending coach for the organization. As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Stéphane Waite has over 30 years of experience as a goaltending coach, including the past 10 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks organization. He contributed to two Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks during his tenure working closely with two different goaltenders, namely Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford. We are very pleased to welcome Stéphane in our organization. He has a vast experience, and a thorough knowledge of our local market and we are convinced that our goaltenders will benefit from his expertise and his work ethic,” indicated Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin.

In 2012-13, Stéphane Waite completed his 10th season as goaltending coach with the Chicago Blackhawks and helped the team hoist the Stanley Cup on two occasions since joining the Hawks’ coaching staff in 2003-2004. Over the past season, Chicago goaltenders Corey Crawford and Ray Emery earned the William B. Jennings Trophy awarded to the goaltenders with the best goals against average in the NHL. Prior to joining the Chicago organization, he served as Sherwood Hockey’s Pro goaltender representative (2001-04). He was also a goaltending consultant for IMG Hockey (2000-2004).

Waite has served as goaltending coach for minor league and junior teams throughout his career, including the Lewiston Maineiacs, QMJHL (2003-04); Magog Cantonniers, Midget AAA (1997-04); Sherbrooke Castors, QMJHL (1998-03); Coaticook Frontaliers, Junior AAA (1997-01); Team Quebec, U17 World Challenge (1990, 2000-01); Le Triolet High School (1998-01); Waterloo 94’s, semi-pro (also as head coach); Sherbrooke Faucons, QMJHL (1993-96); Saint-Jean Lynx, QMJHL (1990-91); Saint-Jean Castors, QMJHL (1987-89); Trois-Rivières Draveurs, QMHJL (1986-87); Shawinigan Cataractes, QMHJL (1985-86); Cantonniers De L’Est, Midget AAA (1983-89); Quebec Hockey Federation (1985-86); and Sherbrooke Inter City (1981-83).

Since 1988, Stéphane Waite runs his own hockey camp for goaltenders in Quebec and has worked at a variety of other hockey camps over the years in Canada, the United States and Europe. He has coached many current and past NHL goaltenders including Jocelyn Thibault, Brian Boucher, Félix Potvin, Jean-Sébastien Aubin, Jimmy Waite, Craig Anderson, Michael Leighton, Patrick Lalime, Nikolai Khabibulin, Cristobal Huet, Antti Niemi, Marty Turco, Corey Crawford and Ray Emery, in addition to several NHL prospects.



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