Habs coach Martin St. Louis returns from personal leave

Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis will be back behind the bench for Montreal's Tuesday game against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver.

St. Louis has been away from the team since March 16. He was spending time with family after his 16-year-old son, Mason, was hospitalized following complications from an injury sustained in a youth hockey game.

Mason St. Louis is now in stable condition and is at home recovering with his family in Connecticut, according to the Canadiens.

"We appreciate the Canadiens organization, our fans, and the hockey community for understanding and supporting us through Mason's injury and recovery," Martin St. Louis said. "I would like to extend a special thank you to the doctors and nurses that cared for him during this time.

"I'd also like to thank everyone for respecting my family and our privacy, and I ask to please maintain a focus on the Canadiens team and the remainder of the 2023-24 season."

Assistant coach Trevor Letowski took over for the 48-year-old Martin St. Louis during his absence. The team went 1-2-1 under Letowski.

Martin St. Louis thanked the Canadiens "for fully understanding and facilitating my need to be with my family for the past several days. Everyone within the Canadiens organization has been very supportive of my wife Heather and me as we fully focused on our son Mason and his recovery."

Montreal heads into Tuesday's game 26-32-12 (64 points) on the season.