Former NHL Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien joins Zurich Lions after St. Louis Blues exit

After leaving the St. Louis Blues, Claude Julien has found his next coaching opportunity. The long-time NHL bench boss has taken the head coaching gig with the Zurich Lions of Switzerland's National League, his first pro coaching gig outside of North America.

The 66-year-old joins one of Europe's top organisations with a wealth of NHL experience. Julien was an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues for the last two seasons and won a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.

Claude Julien accepts Zurich Lions head coaching role

Claude Julien has formally taken over the head coaching position with Zurich Lions. The move follows his contract with the St. Louis Blues not being renewed after two seasons as an assistant coach. Although several NHL teams were on the hunt for new bench bosses, Julien opted to further his career in Switzerland.

The hire is a new challenge for the veteran coach and adds championship experience to one of the top teams in the Swiss National League.

The St. Louis Blues did not extend the contract of their director of hockey operations, and so Claude Julien left the team. Blue's president of hockey operations, Doug Armstrong, confirmed changes were coming to the coaching staff earlier this year. That decision left Julien available at the start of the offseason.

His name came up in NHL coaching circles, including speculation about teams with head coaching vacancies, but the former Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens coach chose to take an overseas job instead.

Claude Julien is one of the most respected coaches of his generation. He coached 1,274 regular-season NHL games, and had successful stints with the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils. His greatest accomplishment came in 2011 when he led the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup title.

Julien gained a reputation as one of the NHL’s top coaches, known for his defensive systems and leadership. As he starts a new phase of his career in Europe, his experience is expected to have a major impact on Zurich Lions.