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New China-Based Hockey Team Makes Wild Hiring Announcement of Longtime NHL Head Coach

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Aug 13, 2025 11:36 AM ET

Earlier this off-season, Gerard Gallant agreed to be the new coach of a KHL team, and now the Shanghai Dragons have introduced him with a wild video.

In his time with the New York Rangers, veteran coach Gerard Gallant experienced plenty of success, but after failing to take his team to the Stanley Cup Finals, he was let go and replaced with Peter Laviolette.

That move came back in the summer of 2023 after the team were eliminated in round one of the post-season, and since that point, there's been barely any speculation about a return to the NHL after stints with Columbus, Florida, Vegas and New York.

Gerard Gallant Will Coach the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL

Earlier this off-season, it came as a shock to many when Gallant was named Head Coach of the Kunlun Red Star in the KHL, a team that has now officially rebranded themselves as the Shanghai Dragons.

As a result of their focus on the rebrand, we haven't heard much about Gallant joining the organization, but now they've dropped an amazing video to announce that he'll be the first Head Coach in the history of the new Shanghai Dragons.

There were plenty of intriguing moments in the seemingly AI video, including the appearance of what looked to be Jaromir Jagr dressed as Scorpion from Mortal Kombat, but for fans of the Dragons and non-fans alike, it was incredibly exciting.

Now, only time will tell whether or not Gallant can turn the Chinese KHL franchise into a winner under their new rebuild, but one thing is for sure, and that is that this video no doubt had fans of the team excited for what is to come under the former NHL Head Coach.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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