Two years ago today, on June 14, 2022, the Vegas Golden Knights decided to shape their franchise’s future by hiring Bruce Cassidy as their new head coach. This move came just eight days after Cassidy was unexpectedly relieved of his duties by the Boston Bruins following their game-seven loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. Cassidy was brought on as the third head coach in Golden Knights history.
Cassidy’s track record with the Bruins was impressive, including a Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2019 and winning the Jack Adams Award for the 2019-20 season. The Golden Knights’ decision to hire him proved a masterstroke, as Cassidy led the team to unprecedented success in his debut season.
Stanley Cup Champions
On June 13, 2023, almost one year after his hiring, Cassidy guided the Golden Knights to their first-ever Stanley Cup championship. This remarkable achievement validated the organization’s decision and solidified Cassidy’s reputation as one of the league’s top coaches.
The 2022-23 season was historic for the Golden Knights under Cassidy’s leadership. They finished the regular season with 51 wins, 22 losses, and nine overtime losses, accumulating 111 points. This secured them the top spot in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference.
During their championship run, the Golden Knights showcased their dominance. They clinched a playoff berth on March 30, 2023, and secured their third Pacific Division championship on April 13, 2023. In the playoffs, they advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the fourth time in their six-year history, defeating the Dallas Stars in six games to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. In the Finals, the Golden Knights faced the Florida Panthers and emerged victorious in five games, capturing their first Stanley Cup. This achievement was particularly notable in just the franchise’s sixth season.
Coaches Impact
Cassidy’s impact on the team was evident throughout the season. The Golden Knights set an NHL record by becoming the first defending Stanley Cup champion to start a season 6-0. His coaching philosophy, which emphasizes scoring at least three goals per game, proved highly effective, with the team winning 27 consecutive games when reaching this milestone. His ability to quickly adapt to a new organization and lead it to the pinnacle of NHL success demonstrated the value of his experienced coaching.
The 2023-24 season presented new challenges for Cassidy and the Golden Knights. Despite returning 20 players from their championship team, they faced numerous injuries throughout the season. Cassidy revealed that nine players underwent surgeries during the campaign, a significant number for a roster 23. Despite these setbacks, the team still managed to qualify for the playoffs, although their run was cut short by the Dallas Stars in the first round.
Cassidy’s tenure with the Golden Knights has been marked by triumph and adversity. His ability to navigate these challenges while maintaining a high level of performance has cemented his status as one of the NHL’s premier coaches.