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The Vegas Golden Knights have officially named Ryan Craig as their new head coach, a decision announced on June 17. This move comes on the heels of a disappointing performance in the Stanley Cup Finals, where the Golden Knights fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games. Following that defeat, the organization swiftly began its search for a permanent head coach after parting ways with Bruce Cassidy just eight games into the NHL playoffs due to a significant slump that threatened their postseason ambitions.
In the interim, John Tortorella took the reins, guiding the team to an impressive 7-0-1 record leading into the playoffs. However, despite this successful stretch, Tortorella will not continue with the team as head coach. It appears the Golden Knights had their sights set on Craig all along, making him the fifth head coach in the franchise’s history.
Craig has been a part of the Golden Knights organization since 2017, initially serving as an assistant coach before taking the helm of the AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. His tenure in Henderson was marked by success; he improved the team’s win totals each year, culminating in a 39-win season in 2025-26. Under his leadership, the Silver Knights also made it to the second round of the AHL Playoffs this past season, showcasing his ability to develop talent and foster a competitive environment.
At 44 years old, Craig brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He was drafted in the eighth round of the 2002 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning and played parts of eight seasons in the NHL, suiting up for the Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets, totaling 198 games. His earlier career in the Western Hockey League was equally impressive, where he led the Brandon Wheat Kings in scoring twice and served as captain for two seasons. In his final WHL season, he earned a spot on the WHL East First All-Star Team.
Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.
