Montreal Canadiens hire Marie-Philip Poulin as player development consultant

The Montreal Canadiens, poised to pick first overall in July’s NHL draft, continue to remake their identity with fresh hires. On Tuesday they announced the addition of international hockey legend Marie-Philip Poulin as player development consultant.

Poulin, 31, will fill the role on a part-time basis while continuing her playing career.

“Among her responsibilities, Poulin will be called upon to join the players on the ice and in video sessions to work on their individual and collective skills, in collaboration with the director of player development, Rob Ramage, and the director of hockey development Adam Nicholas,” the Canadiens said in a news release Tuesday.

Poulin will bring a wealth of experience as one of the sport’s most decorated players ever. She’s a three-time Olympic gold medallist, earning the moniker ‘Captain Clutch,’ having scored the winning goal in all three of her gold-medal victories with Canada in 2010, 2014 and 2022. During her time in the now-defunct CWHL, she won two Clarkson Cups and three league MVP awards.

“We are thrilled with the addition of Marie-Philip Poulin to our hockey development department,” said Habs Kent Hughes in the release. “Marie-Philip is one of the best players on the planet and she has won at the highest level, which will be very beneficial for our players. Her knowledge, leadership and vision of the game certainly make the Canadiens a better organization.”

As reported the Athletic’s Arpon Basu, Hughes had indicated as far back as March that he and the Canadiens were speaking to Poulin about a role in the organization.