MONTREAL — Former defenseman Stephane Robidas was named an assistant coach with the Canadiens.
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A seventh-round pick by Montreal in 1995, he joined head coach Martin St-Louis’ staff, which also includes fellow assistants Alex Burrows and Trevor Letowski.
Here’s a look at Robidas’ career in numbers:
15 – The Sherbrooke native enjoyed a 15-year NHL career that included 937 regular-season appearances between Montreal, Dallas, Chicago, Anaheim and Toronto. He spent the majority of his time with the Stars, though, playing just over 700 games with the Texas-based franchise.
258 – Robidas produced 258 points (57 goals, 201 assists) over the years, including a career-high 10 goals, 31 assists and 41 points in 82 games during the 2009-10 campaign with Dallas. The smooth-skating blueliner began his tenure as an assistant captain that year, and sported the “A” for the next four-plus seasons before being dealt to the Ducks.
36 – Just over 36 percent of Robidas’ points came on the power play. He generated 94 points (23 goals, 71 assists) while his squad was up a man. From a defensive standpoint, he also showed his prowess with an impressive plus-16 differential and 857 blocked shots. Robidas dished out 1,490 hits as well, including a career-high 269 with Dallas in 2009-10.
3 – The one-time NHL All-Star sported Canada’s colors internationally on three occasions at the IIHF World Championship (2001, 2006 and 2013), and he was twice selected as a top-3 player on the team following the tournament. While he didn’t claim a medal, playing in these kinds of events provides invaluable experience for any participant.
4 – Before turning pro, Robidas played four seasons with the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes and earned Defenseman of the Year honors for the 1996-97 campaign. His 245 points still stands as a franchise record among defensemen. He also ranks second in goals (63), assists (182) and games played (272) among rearguards in club history as well, and was inducted into the League’s Hall of Fame in 2020.
4 – Once his playing career was over, Robidas spent four years in a player development role with the Maple Leafs. He was hired as Assistant Director of Player Development in September 2017, before being named Director of Player Development in August 2018. He served in that capacity through the 2020-21 season.
1 – Robidas spent last season as head coach of the Magog Cantonniers in the Quebec U18 AAA Development Hockey League. He guided the team to a Jimmy Ferrari Cup title and was named a finalist for Coach of the Year. The 45-year-old was previously named an assistant coach with the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix on June 15 prior to accepting the job offer from the Canadiens.
147 – Robidas’ son, Justin, was a fifth-round pick of the Carolina Hurricanes (147th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old center ranked second in scoring with the QMJHL’s Val d’Or Foreurs last season, registering 82 points (30 goals, 52 assists) in 68 games. Justin is the Foreurs’ captain.