The Montreal Canadiens have named player agent Kent Hughes as the NHL club's 18th general manager.

 

The 51-year-old Montreal native has been an agent and partner of Quebec-based firm Quartexx Management since 2016.

 

Before joining the Canadiens, he represented more than 20 players under NHL contracts, including Patrice Bergeron, Kristopher Letang, Anthony Beauvillier and Darnell Nurse.

 

Hughes replaces former general manager Marc Bergevin, who was fired Nov. 28 following Montreal's disastrous start to the 2021-22 season.

 

Hughes joins executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton, who was hired shortly after Bergevin's dismissal, in Montreal's front office.

 

Canadiens owner Geoff Molson previously said he envisions Gorton and Montreal's new GM running hockey operations in complementary roles.