After being unexpectedly fired by the Boston Bruins after a first-round exit, head coach Bruce Cassidy was on the market. The news came shockingly to Cassidy who claims he was told he was safe by Bruins management. However, today it was announced by that the Vegas Golden Knights have hired Cassidy.
🚨 COACHING UPDATE 🚨
Bruce Cassidy has been hired as the Head Coach of the Vegas Golden Knights! #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/MyOUQLzMoj
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 14, 2022
Vegas Golden Knights Hire New Head Coach
The 57-year-old coach began his head coaching career in 2002 when he was hired by the Washington Capitals. After he was fired the following season, he was hired by the Chicago Blackhawks in an assistant coach capacity. Cassidy then made his through to the Ontario Hockey League and American Hockey League for ten years before he was hired by the Boston Bruins in 2016. Before he was fired, he was the fourth longest-tenured coach in the National Hockey League.
During his six seasons with the Bruins, Cassidy did not miss the playoffs. The team even made it to the Stanley Cup Final in the 2018-2019 season where they lost to the St Louis Blues. He would go on to win the Jack Adams Award the following season. The Jack Adams Award is defined as “adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success.” Which most could argue he did that every season he reigned over the Bruins.
What This Means for the Golden Knights
Cassidy is known for getting the most of his team despite the flaws and lack of talent in certain areas. He expects the most out of each player every second they are on the ice. Though the Golden Knights were riddled with injuries last season and lost their way out of a solid playoff position; it could be said they did not get the most out of some of their players. Vegas has a good foundation of talented players and with the tools that Cassidy will bring with him, they could be a team that goes for a deep playoff run during their first season with Cassidy.
