The new general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes addressed the media and Montreal fans for the first time, Wednesday, during a press conference on the ice of the Bell Centre.
“It’s a great pleasure for a guy from here to become the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens,” he said straight away, in French. It’s sort of like coming home to my childhood team. »
Originally from Beaconsfield, Hughes became the 18th general manager of the Montreal team on Tuesday.
The president of the team, Geoff Molson, specified that the Canadian met 11 candidates for the position of general manager. Molson and his team met with a group of three finalists for a second interview before the organization settled on Hughes.
The names of the two other finalists who could have succeeded Marc Bergevin have not been revealed.
Hughes explained that his main objective is to allow the Canadian to win in the long term. He did not want to give a date when the Habs can hope to win top honors.
Jeff Gorton, vice-president of hockey operations for the Canadiens, wanted to set the record straight regarding his bond of friendship with Hughes.
“Without wanting to be disrespectful, he is not my best friend,” he summed up.
Hughes, a former player agent with Quartexx Management, has represented Quebecers Kristopher Letang, Patrice Bergeron and Anthony Beauvillier, as well as Darnell Nurse and Drake Batherson.