OTTAWA — Claude Julien won’t be coming home this summer.

Senators GM Pierre Dorion can scratch the top name off the club’s list of possible coaching candidates after the Bruins confirmed Thursday that coach Claude Julien will be back behind the Boston bench next season.

Though the Senators would have sought permission immediately if he’d been fired and would have been on the first flight to Beantown, Dorion can start his interviews next week by looking in other directions because Boston GM Don Sweeney gave Julien, 55, an Orleans native, a vote of confidence.

“I believe in Claude as a coach,” Sweeney said at a season-ending news conference at the TD Garden. “I think our core principles align very well from the defensive structure of the team, as well as what we see in individual players.

“He’s never, ever wavered in the fact that this is the place he wants to be, and he’s ridden us up to the good time, and now we’re at a lower point, and we want to go back to the point where he knows he can get us. And I think that speaks volumes about him as a person, first of all, and my confidence in him as a coach.”

What’s interesting is the Bruins, who are going through a pretty big rebuild at the moment, wouldn’t have stood in Julien’s way if he decided he wanted to go elsewhere and not return for his 10th season.

“I want to be here, I want to bring this team back to where we once had it, and I know that there’s some bumps along the way,” said Julien. “And there’s no doubt _ I’m going to be honest with you, would it have been easier for me to go somewhere else and say, ‘Oh geez, I’m going to go somewhere fresh and start’ That’s not what I want. To me, this organization’s been good to me, they’ve been loyal to me.”

“I love this city, I love our fans, I love just the environment here. You want to be somewhere where people are really passionate about the game and there’s a lot of people here, including players, that have helped me become the coach that I am.”

There is no question he would have had the opportunity to come back to Ottawa because he would have been the best coach available and the Senators would prefer to have somebody experienced behind the bench.

MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE

Scratching Julien off the list means the Senators will turn elsewhere. Here is part of the list Postmedia believes GM Pierre Dorion will now work with:

Former Minnesota Wild coach Mike Yeo: Fired in February, he’s widely respected and will definitely get an interview. Don’t be surprised if the Senators reach out for permission to speak with him soon.

Former Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher: He’s on the list and will likely sit down with the club. Boucher has spent the last two years coaching in Switzerland and is widely regarded in the coaching circles.

Former Dallas Stars coach Marc Crawford: He has already spoken with Dorion and don’t be surprised if he at least gets to talk to the club. His public campaigning for the job isn’t going to help his standing one bit.

Los Angeles Kings assistant John Stevens: He could still end up as the head coach of the Kings because Darryl Sutter is a UFA but if the Senators get permission he’s a candidate.

Chicago Blackhawks assistant Kevin Dineen: Coached Florida the last time they made playoffs has ties to the Ottawa organization and may get an interview. He’s in the post-season so the club might have to wait.

Anaheim Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau: He’s still working but if he gets bounced in the first round then he’ll be at the top of the list. He has a strong resume but may need to get to the Stanley Cup final to keep his job.

Email: bgarrioch@postmedia.com

Twitter: @SunGarrioch