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Habs hire ex-Chicago goalie coach Waite

StephaneWaite2

The Montreal Canadiens have made a significant coaching hire, adding Stephane Waite as their new goalie coach.

Waite, who had been with Chicago since 2003, takes over for the recently dismissed Pierre Groulx, whose relationship with Carey Price had been called into question by another ex-Montreal goalie coach, Roland Melanson.

With Chicago, Waite was credited with improving the games of both Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford to the point where both backstopped the ‘Hawks to Stanley Cup championships.

He’s also worked with a number of ex- and current NHL goalies, including Nikolai Khabibulin and Craig Anderson.

“Stephane Waite has over 30 years of experience as a goaltending coach, including the past 10 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks organization,” said Habs GM Marc Bergevin. “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.”

The hire shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, given the relationship between Waite and Bergevin.

The latter was also with the Chicago organization for a number of years, working as an assistant coach, scout, director of player personnel and assistant general manager over a four-year span.