Canadiens President Quits

Ronald Corey is stepping down as president of the Montreal Canadiens, six weeks after hockey's most storied franchise finished last in its division and out of the NHL playoffs.

"Seventeen years in charge of the Montreal Canadiens is enough," Corey told a news conference Monday. "It takes quite a man to do 17 years in Montreal, as (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman told me this morning."

Corey, 60, said it was time for a "more relaxing life." His resignation takes effect July 31.

Corey became president of the Canadiens in 1982 and the team won Stanley Cups in 1986 and 1993. But Montreal finished out of the playoffs this season for the second time in five years with a 32-39-11 record, 11th in the Eastern Conference and with their lowest points total (not counting the lockout-shortened season) since 1983-84.

"While hockey may be going through some tough times, I have no doubt that the Montreal Canadiens' dynasty will continue to thrive and that Montrealers will see many more Stanley Cups in the years ahead," Corey said.

James Arnett, president and chief executive officer of Molson, said Corey had approached him about a month ago about leaving. An executive search firm has been hired to conduct a search for the successor to Corey and the club hopes a new president will be in place before next season.

"He's always done big things for the Canadiens and within four years he brought the Canadiens a Stanley Cup," said Eric Molson, chairman of the board of directors of Molson, which owns the Molson Centre and the Canadiens.

"He could not have given us a bigger gift when in '93 he completed our case of 24 Stanley Cups. He's not only a great man and an important figure, but a great member of the community in Quebec and Canada."

Corey was heavily involved in the move from the Montreal Forum to the Molson Centre in 1996.

"He was the driving force behind both the concept and the construction of the Molson Centre, a project that he managed from beginning to end," said Molson.

Arnett, who described his relationship with Corey as cordial, thanked Corey for all his efforts on behalf of the club. So did Molson, who seemed genuinely moved by the moment.

Corey paid tribute to colleagues, players and fans, and made a point of thanking Bettman for helping organize the Maurice Richard Trophy to reward the league's top goal scorer.

But he also noted that Canadian clubs are working at a disadvantage because of the devalued Canadian dollar.

"We are not working the same environment," he said.

Corey said his love for the game had not changed.

"I still enjoy every second of it," he said. Referring to the playoffs, he said "that type of hockey will be back in Montreal."

And he took time to thank the many fans of the Canadens, whom he called Canada's team.

"Everywhere we have fans," he said. "So many fans, always encouraging us and I want to thank them, all over the country."

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