Claude Ruel (born September 12, 1938, in Sherbrooke, Quebec) was a defenceman in the Montreal Canadiens system and later a head coach for the National Hockey League Montreal Canadiens. Claude was a two-time coach for the Habs. He coached the team from 1968 to 1970 and later from 1979 to 1981. He led the team to the 1969 Stanley Cup Championship. He also won six more Stanley Cups as Director of Players Development with Montreal 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986, 1993 (left off Cup).