Rangers hire Jacques Martin as assistant coach

The New York Rangers have added longtime NHL bench boss Jacques Martin to their staff as an assistant coach, the team announced Monday.

Martin, 67, replaces Lindy Ruff, who was hired as head coach of the New Jersey Devils in July.

The Ontario native has been with the Pittsburgh Penguins since 2013, serving as an assistant coach with the club over parts of the last five seasons. He helped Pittsburgh capture the Stanley Cup in both 2016 and 2017.

Pittsburgh parted ways with Martin and fellow assistants Mark Recchi and Sergei Gonchar after the club's qualifying-round loss to the Montreal Canadiens earlier this month.

Martin began his NHL coaching career as the St. Louis Blues' bench boss in 1986-87. He has since served as head coach for the Ottawa Senators (1995-2004), Florida Panthers (2006-08), and Canadiens (2010-12). Martin earned the Jack Adams Award as the league's top coach in 1998-99.