Mark Letestu Joins Vegas Golden Knights as Assistant Coach for 2026-27 Season

The Vegas Golden Knights have made a significant addition to their coaching staff, announcing the hiring of former NHL forward Mark Letestu as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Letestu joins head coach Ryan Craig’s team, which will retain the remainder of its coaching group.

Letestu arrives in Vegas with a wealth of experience, both as a player and a coach. Over an 11-season NHL career, he played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, and Winnipeg Jets, amassing 567 regular-season games and tallying 210 points through 93 goals and 117 assists. Known for his intelligence and versatility, Letestu established himself as a reliable two-way center, adapting to whatever role his team required.

His final NHL appearance was with the Jets during the 2019-20 season, after which he transitioned into coaching. This new role proved to be a natural fit for Letestu, who spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. During his tenure, he helped cultivate a winning culture, leading the Monsters to the postseason in both of his last two seasons, including a North Division title in the 2023-24 campaign and a deep run to the Eastern Conference Final.

Letestu further elevated his coaching profile by taking the helm of the AHL’s Colorado Eagles prior to last season. In his inaugural season, he guided the Eagles to an impressive 41-20-11 record and a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs, where they advanced to the Western Conference Final. This remarkable performance undoubtedly made Letestu a sought-after coaching candidate this summer, catching the attention of the Golden Knights’ front office.

The connection between Letestu and Craig, who played alongside him in Columbus during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons, likely influenced the decision to bring him on board. With Letestu’s addition, the Golden Knights are rounding out a coaching staff that is poised to build upon the team’s recent challenges, as Craig steps into his first season leading the franchise after their near-miss in the Stanley Cup finals under interim coach John Tortorella.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.