from Jackie MacMullan of ESPNBoston,

Julien has accrued lifelong hockey friends in his travels. The owners of the French team that he played with for just one season are now annual guests in Boston. When the team is on the road, it's not uncommon for Julien to dine with teammates from his junior hockey days.

Even the two men who fired him, Bob Gainey (in Montreal) and Lou Lamoriello, value his loyalty.

"I called him and told him how happy I was when he won [the Cup]," Lamoriello said. "He's such a quality individual, he deserves success. You root for him.

"I consider Claude a friend."

The pressure is squarely on Julien again this season to produce a winner. He recognizes it and has even learned to embrace it.

"He views disappointments as an opportunity to make the core of your team stronger," Ward said. "Claude believes adversity is a good teacher."

The winning has defined him, but the disappointments have shaped him. Claude Julien, the roofer's son, is still up to his elbows in hockey, and that's all he's ever wanted.

more