Claude Ruel

Claude Ruel (September 12, 1938 – February 9, 2015) was an ice hockey coach for the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL. Raised in Sherbrooke, he was regarded as a promising young defenseman before a deflected puck struck him in the eye in 1958, causing permanent vision loss that ended his playing prospects. He moved into coaching with the Montreal Junior Canadiens in the early 1960s and became a key figure in the Canadiens' development system as a scout and director of player development. Named head coach in 1968, he guided Montreal to a Stanley Cup championship in his first season before stepping down 23 games into the 1970–71 campaign.