Home / Sports / Vegas Golden Knights Tap Ryan Craig for New Head Coach Role
Vegas Golden Knights Tap Ryan Craig for New Head Coach Role
18 Jun
Summary
- Ryan Craig named fifth head coach in franchise history.
- Craig previously served six seasons as assistant coach.
- He coached the Henderson Silver Knights for three seasons.
The Vegas Golden Knights have named Ryan Craig as the franchise's fifth head coach. Craig's promotion was announced on Wednesday, one day after the team confirmed John Tortorella would not return to the bench. The Golden Knights' season concluded recently with a Game 6 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final.
Craig, 44, has an extensive history with the Golden Knights, previously serving as an assistant coach for six seasons. For the past three campaigns, he led the Henderson Silver Knights, the team's American Hockey League affiliate. During his tenure, the Silver Knights saw an increase in their win total, culminating in 39 wins in the 2025-26 season.
Prior to his coaching career, Craig played professionally as a forward. He recorded 63 points in 198 NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Craig was originally drafted by the Lightning in the eighth round of the 2002 NHL Draft. He also played five seasons in the Western Hockey League for the Brandon Wheat Kings, where current Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon was owner and GM.
