Gerard Gallant is a former professional ice hockey player and current coach who has had a successful career in the sport. He began his career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) playing for the Sherbrooke Castors and the Saint-Jean Castors. In 1981, he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the sixth round of the NHL Entry Draft.
Gallant played for the Red Wings for parts of three seasons before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1993. He played for the Lightning for two seasons before being traded to the Florida Panthers in 1995. He played for the Panthers for three seasons before being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2000. He played for the Blue Jackets for one season before retiring from playing professional hockey.
After retiring, Gallant began coaching in the QMJHL, where he led the Saint John Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup championship in 2011. He then moved on to coach in the NHL, serving as an assistant coach for the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders before being named head coach of the Panthers in 2014.
Under Gallant's leadership, the Panthers had their best season in franchise history in 2015-16, winning the Atlantic Division and making it to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Gallant was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, which is given to the NHL's best coach, but ultimately lost to Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals.
In 2017, Gallant was fired by the Panthers after a slow start to the season. He was quickly hired by the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, where he led the team to an improbable run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. The Golden Knights ultimately lost to the Capitals in the Final, but Gallant was once again named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award.
Gallant continued to coach the Golden Knights until January 2020, when he was fired mid-season after a disappointing start to the year. He has since been hired as the head coach of the New York Rangers, where he will look to continue his success in the NHL.
Throughout his career, Gallant has been known for his ability to connect with players and get the most out of them. He has a reputation for being a players' coach who is well-liked and respected by his team. His success as a coach has made him one of the most sought-after coaches in the NHL, and he is sure to continue making an impact in the sport for years to come.
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