Report: Ex-Habs general manager Pierre Gauthier to join Blackhawks' front office

CHICAGO - Former Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier is set to join the Chicago Blackhawks' front office.

The Chicago Tribune reports the 59-year-old will take over as the club's new director of player personnel.

Gauthier was fired by the Canadiens on March 29 and eventually replaced by former Blackhawks assistant GM Marc Bergevin.

The Habs were mired in 15th place in the East at the time of Gauthier's firing with a record of 29-34-14 and wound up dead last in the conference with a 31-35-16 mark.

Gauthier, who was named Montreal's GM in February 2010, was heavily criticized during his final season in charge of the Canadiens.

He fired assistant coach Perry Pearn hours before a game and dismissed head coach Jacques Martin in December, replacing him with Randy Cunneyworth, who could not speak French.

The Tribune reports Gauthier has been attending Chicago's prospect camp this week and watched from the stands with head coach Joel Quenneville.

Gauthier previous experience includes stints as general manager with the Anaheim Ducks and the Ottawa Senators.