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Stanley Cup Surprise: Mid-Season Hire Wins It All
28 May
Summary
- A coach took over mid-season and led his team to the Stanley Cup.
- This feat has become more common in the NHL since 2000.
- Six coaches have achieved this in the NHL since 2000.
John Tortorella has guided the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final, achieving a remarkable feat by winning the championship after taking over mid-season. The Golden Knights completed a sweep against the Colorado Avalanche to reach this stage. This accomplishment is becoming more frequent in the NHL, with six coaches achieving this since 2000.
Tortorella assumed coaching duties in March after the Golden Knights experienced a losing streak. Under his leadership, the team went undefeated in their final eight regular-season games and have dominated the playoffs with a 12-4 record. The last team to win the Stanley Cup after a mid-season coaching change was the St. Louis Blues in 2018-19, when Craig Berube took the helm.
Historically, winning the Cup after a mid-season coaching change was rare, with only two instances in the 20th century. However, since 2000, five other NHL coaches have achieved this, including Mike Sullivan with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and Darryl Sutter with the Los Angeles Kings in 2014. Kris Knoblauch also came close in 2024, reaching Game 7 of the Final.
