Habs extend GM Kent Hughes, exec Jeff Gorton

The Montreal Canadiens announced multi-year contract extensions Tuesday for general manager Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, who was promoted to president of hockey operations.

Both executives were in the final year of their previous contracts.

"I am very pleased that Jeff and Kent have committed to the Montreal Canadiens for an additional five years. Their commitment to building a world class organization has been unrelenting and will only get better as we progress in the years to come," team owner, president and CEO Geoff Molson said in a news release.

"I would like to thank Jeff and Kent for taking this team and organization to where it is today, full of talent, size and speed with a support structure that is second to none, an objective from day one. I look forward to many more years working with them."

Gorton joined the Montreal front office in November 2021 and most recently was the executive vice president of hockey operations. Hughes was named the general manager of his hometown team in January 2022.

After ending a three-year playoff drought last season, the Canadiens take a 2-1-0 record into Tuesday night's home opener against the Seattle Kraken.