Gerard Gallant's journey through the world of professional hockey is marked by his roles both on the ice as a player and behind the bench as a coach. Born on September 2, 1963, in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Gallant began his hockey career in the junior leagues, playing for the Sherbrooke Castors and later the Verdun Juniors in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). His performance in the junior leagues caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, 107th overall.
Gallant made his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1984-85 season. Known for his gritty playing style and ability to contribute offensively, he quickly became a fan favorite. Over the course of his nine seasons with the Red Wings, Gallant was known for his physical play, amassing over 200 penalty minutes in multiple seasons, while also demonstrating his scoring ability. His best offensive season came in 1988-89 when he scored 39 goals and added 54 assists for a total of 93 points.
In 1993, Gallant joined the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he played for two seasons before retiring as a player in 1995. His transition from player to coach began shortly thereafter, as he took on a role as an assistant coach with the Fort Wayne Komets of the International Hockey League (IHL). This position marked the beginning of his coaching career, which would see him return to the NHL in various capacities.
Gallant's NHL coaching career began with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he served as an assistant coach before being promoted to head coach in 2004. His tenure as head coach lasted until 2006. After leaving Columbus, Gallant spent time as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders and later returned to junior hockey, leading the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL to two league championships and a Memorial Cup victory in 2011.
In 2012, Gallant returned to the NHL as an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens. His success in this role led to his hiring as head coach of the Florida Panthers in 2014. Under his leadership, the Panthers saw significant improvement, culminating in a division title in the 2015-16 season. Despite this success, Gallant was relieved of his duties in 2016.
Gallant's next opportunity came with the Vegas Golden Knights, an expansion team entering the NHL in the 2017-18 season. As the inaugural head coach, he led the team to an unprecedented run to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season, earning him the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's Coach of the Year. Gallant's tenure with the Golden Knights ended in 2020.
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