Golden Knights promote Ryan Craig to head coach

Craig Moves Up From Henderson

Craig, 44, spent the past three seasons as head coach of the Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas’ American Hockey League affiliate.

Henderson improved its win total in each of Craig’s three seasons behind the bench. The Silver Knights won 28 games in 2023-24, 29 in 2024-25 and 39 in 2025-26.

This past season was Henderson’s best in its six-year history. The Silver Knights finished 39-21-12 with 90 points, setting franchise records. They also advanced to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs before losing to the Colorado Eagles.

Familiar Face in Vegas

Craig is not new to the Golden Knights.

Before taking over in Henderson, he spent six seasons as a Vegas assistant coach from 2017 to 2023. He was part of the staff when the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2023.

Vegas reached the playoffs in five of Craig’s six seasons as an assistant.

Craig also brings a long connection with McCrimmon. He played five seasons for the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings, where McCrimmon was the team’s owner and general manager. Craig captained the team for two years and led Brandon in scoring twice.

Former Player, Longtime Leader

Before coaching, Craig played eight seasons in the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets. He appeared in 198 NHL games.

He also played 711 games in the AHL and served as captain on nine teams, including the 2015-16 Lake Erie Monsters team that won the Calder Cup.

Craig was selected by Tampa Bay in the eighth round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

His promotion gives the Golden Knights a familiar voice after a season that ended two wins short of the Stanley Cup. Vegas reached the Stanley Cup Final before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games.

Now, the next run belongs to Craig.