Claude Julien has joined a rather exclusive club.
The Boston Bruins head coach picked up the 500th win of his coaching career Saturday in a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild.
Congratulations, Coach! #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/74tgtEJsx3
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 13, 2016
"When I'm done ... to look back and see what (I've) accomplished, that's probably a lot more fun than when you're in the middle of things," Julien said postgame.
Not surprisingly Julien didn't know it would be his 500th win behind the bench. "I prefer focusing on what I need to do vs. what's happened"
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 13, 2016
Julien became the 23rd head coach in NHL history to achieve the milestone, and moved into a tie with Toe Blake for 22nd on the all-time coaching wins list.
The Bruins' bench boss is now one victory behind the late Pat Burns, and 13 back of Arizona Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett, who won his 500th game back in November.
Scotty Bowman holds the NHL record with 1,244 victories.
