The Vegas Golden Knights recently unveiled Ryan Craig, 44, as the fifth head coach in the franchise's history. This pivotal leadership change comes on the heels of the team's elimination from the Stanley Cup Final, marking a new chapter for the organization. Craig, who has a deep-rooted history with the Golden Knights and their AHL affiliate, is set to steer the team in the upcoming seasons, bringing a wealth of experience from both playing and coaching roles within the system.
Craig's appointment on Wednesday followed the announcement that John Tortorella would not continue as the bench boss. The Golden Knights' pursuit of the Stanley Cup concluded with a Game 6 defeat against the Carolina Hurricanes. Prior to this promotion, Craig honed his coaching skills as an assistant coach for the Golden Knights over six seasons. Subsequently, he took the reins as the head coach of the Henderson Silver Knights, the organization's American Hockey League affiliate, for three successful campaigns.
Under Craig's guidance, the Henderson Silver Knights demonstrated consistent improvement, with their win totals rising from 28 in the 2023-24 season to 29 in the subsequent season, culminating in an impressive 39 wins in the 2025-26 season. This upward trajectory in their performance underscores Craig's capability to develop talent and implement effective strategies, despite their recent playoff exit in the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs to the Colorado Eagles.
As a former forward, Craig's professional playing career spanned 198 games across the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets, where he accumulated 63 points. Drafted by the Lightning in the eighth round of the 2002 NHL Draft, his playing days also included five seasons with the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings, an organization then owned and managed by current Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon, indicating a long-standing professional relationship and mutual respect.
The transition in leadership sees Craig stepping into a role previously held by John Tortorella, who was hired in an abrupt mid-season change after Bruce Cassidy's departure. Tortorella's brief tenure saw the Golden Knights finish the 2025-26 regular season with an impressive 7-0-1 record, securing the Pacific Division title. This strong finish propelled them through the initial playoff rounds, overcoming the Utah Mammoth and Anaheim Ducks in six games each, before a decisive sweep against the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference final, setting the stage for their Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Ryan Craig's promotion to head coach signals a strategic move by the Vegas Golden Knights, leveraging his extensive experience within the organization and his proven track record of player development and team improvement with the Henderson Silver Knights. His deep understanding of the team's culture and the NHL landscape positions him as a promising leader to guide the Golden Knights toward future successes.
