Bob Gainey has stepped down as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens.
The Canadiens officially made the announcement at a 4pm ET press conference.
Assistant GM Pierre Gauthier was named Executive Vice-President and General Manager, with Gainey remaining with the organization as Special Advisor to the GM.
Gainey became the 15th GM in the history of the Montreal Canadiens on Jun. 2, 2003. Under his leadership, the Canadiens earned a playoff berth four out of five years, and recorded at least 40 wins in all five seasons between 2003 and 2009. The team finished atop the Eastern Conference standings in 2007-08, and second in the Northeast Division in 2008-09. Under the guidance of Bob Gainey, the Canadiens posted a 241-176-46-7 record in 470 regular season games, for a .569 winning percentage.
Gauthier joined the Habs as Director of Professional Scouting on Jul. 21, 2003 and became Assistant to the GM on Jul. 24, 2006.
Gauthier worked with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim during six seasons, serving as Assistant GM in their first two seasons in the NHL from 1993 to 1995. On Dec. 11, 1995, he was named GM of the Ottawa Senators and teamed up with Jacques Martin. He then returned to the Mighty Ducks' organization as team President and was named GM of the Anaheim franchise on Aug. 6, 1998.
