Vegas fires Cassidy, Tortorella becomes coach — The Fourth Period
The Vegas Golden Knights have fired Bruce Cassidy and have named John Tortorella the team’s new head coach.
“We thank Bruce Cassidy for his dedication to our hockey club and community over the past four seasons,” said Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon. “Under Bruce’s leadership, we reached our ultimate goal in 2023 by bringing a Stanley Cup to Vegas. Bruce will forever be remembered with the utmost regard by our organization for what was accomplished here.
“With the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season upon us, we believe that a change is necessary for us to return to the level of play that is expected of our club. With John Tortorella, we bring in a Stanley Cup Champion as well as one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the NHL. His guidance will be a great asset to our team at the pivotal point in the season we currently face. We look forward to welcoming John to Vegas.”
Tortorella has served as a head coach in the NHL for a total of 23 seasons, most recently with the Philadelphia Flyers (2022-25). Prior to his time in Philadelphia, he spent six seasons as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets (2015-21). In 2019, he led Columbus to its first-ever second-round appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and following the 2016-17 campaign with the Blue Jackets, he earned the Jack Adams Award as the top coach in the NHL. Tortorella was also head coach of the Vancouver Canucks (2013-14), New York Rangers (1999-00, 2008-13), and Tampa Bay Lightning (2000-08).
Tortorella has coached in 1,620 NHL games, which ranks sixth all-time and first among coaches born in the United States. His 770 wins stand as the second-most for American coaches and ninth among all NHL head coaches. He won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004.
The Boston native is one of just four coaches in NHL history to win the Jack Adams Award with two different teams.
