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Daniel Brière says he was relieved not to become Canadiens General Manager
Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL
Daniel Brière said it bluntly: he was relieved not to become the Canadiens' general manager.
When Marc Bergevin left in November 2021, Jeff Gorton took over hockey operations.
Geoff Molson then led a hiring process that generated plenty of buzz in Montreal. Kent Hughes was ultimately named on January 18, 2022.
What makes the story especially interesting is what followed. Among the names being mentioned at the time were also Mathieu Darche and Daniel Brière. To this day, Hughes remains in charge in Montreal, Darche runs the New York Islanders, and Brière is at the helm of the Flyers.
Daniel Brière felt the pressure of the market
On Tuesday, on the Hugo Girard Sans Limite podcast, Brière revisited that period. He explained that he did not feel ready to face the pressure of a market like Montreal. He still accepted the interview, because that kind of call can't be turned down.
"I get a call from Geoff Molson and Jeff Gorton asking if I'd be interested in interviewing with the Montreal Canadiens for the GM role. At that point, yes, I'm a bit surprised. I'm not expecting that. I realize that I'm probably not ready for it, but you can't say no to an opportunity like that. I tell myself I'll go do the interview quickly and then move on.
They call me back for a second interview, then they call me again with more questions, and that's when I realize it's starting to get serious. In the end, they tell me they decided to go with Hughes, and I'm very relieved. Well, disappointed, of course, but relieved on one side as well, because I realize I'm not there yet in my development. I'm not yet ready for that."
- Daniel Brière
They call me back for a second interview, then they call me again with more questions, and that's when I realize it's starting to get serious. In the end, they tell me they decided to go with Hughes, and I'm very relieved. Well, disappointed, of course, but relieved on one side as well, because I realize I'm not there yet in my development. I'm not yet ready for that."
- Daniel Brière
He also recounted that getting a call back for a second meeting hit him hard. At that moment, he realized he was truly being taken seriously by the Canadiens. At the time, he felt disappointed, but he now says it ultimately helped him.
Brière was named general manager of the Flyers on May 11, 2023. In his first full season, Philadelphia finished with 87 points after collecting 75 the previous year. Meanwhile, Montreal chose stability, and Hughes even received a contract extension in the fall of 2025.
A quick reminder for Habs fans: Brière signed with Montreal in 2013 to a two-year, $8 million contract, then played 69 games in 2013-14, recording 25 points.
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