Claude Ruel took over as Montreal's head coach in 1968, succeeding the legendary Toe Blake, and immediately delivered a Stanley Cup championship in his rookie season (1968–69), going 12-2 in the playoffs. He stepped down 23 games into the 1970–71 season, reportedly due to eye trouble and the stress of following Blake, and was replaced by assistant Al MacNeil. Ruel spent most of his career in the Canadiens organization as a scout and director of player development, and returned for a second head-coaching stint from 1979 to 1981 during the twilight of the team's 1970s dynasty, resigning in April 1981 shortly after a playoff elimination. Though never a Hall of Fame inductee, he is remembered as a key behind-the-scenes talent evaluator for Montreal across several decades.