Golden Knights Promote Ryan Craig to Head Coach

Silver Knights leader replaces John Tortorella in Vegas.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 171 min read

The Golden Knights promoted Ryan Craig, who coached their AHL affiliate, to lead their NHL team as head coach on Wednesd Via @espn on X

What happened: The Vegas Golden Knights officially named Ryan Craig as the fifth head coach in Craig, who has spent the last three seasons leading the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights, was promoted to lead the NHL squad just one day after the organization moved on from veteran coach John Tortorella.

Why it matters: The appointment signals a shift toward internal continuity for the Vegas Golden Knights following their run to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. Craig, who was an assistant on the 2023 championship staff, is expected to bring a long-term developmental focus to a roster that remains in a championship window.

By the numbers: Ryan Craig led the Henderson Silver Knights to a franchise-record 39 wins during the 2025-26 AHL season. Vegas reached the 2026 Stanley Cup Final under John Tortorella, ultimately falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games.

What to watch: Craig will begin evaluating the roster and assembling his coaching staff ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft and the opening of free agency in July.

Sources

@espn 2026-06-17T18:13:34.756418+00:00

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