Canadiens owner Geoff Molson and advisor Serge Savard had interviewed several candidates for the position, including Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Julien Brisebois, NBC broadcaster Pierre McGuire, and Minnesota Wild director of player personnel Blair Mackasey, but seem to have chosen Bergervin.
McGuire was told he was the runner up for the position.
Bergevin, 46, becomes the 17th General Manager in Canadiens history.
The Montreal native served as an Assistant Coach with the Blackhawks during the 2008-09 campaign. He also spent three years on the Blackhawks scouting staff, including one as Director of Pro Scouting during the 2007-08 season.
Originally selected by the Blackhawks in the third round (59th overall) of the 1983 Entry Draft, Bergevin spent 20 seasons in the NHL as a defenseman. He played with Chicago (1984-89), the New York Islanders (1989-90), Hartford Whalers (1990-92), Tampa Bay Lightning (1992-95, 2002-03), Detroit Red Wings (1995-96), St. Louis Blues (1996-2001, 2001-02), Pittsburgh Penguins (2000-01, 2002-04) and Vancouver Canucks (2003-04).
