LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Gerard Gallant, the first head coach in Vegas Golden Knights history, looked back on the team’s inaugural season during an appearance on “Road Through the Realm,” a segment on Hockey in the Desert Weekly hosted by Vince Sapienza.
Gallant was named the first head coach in franchise history on April 13, 2017, and led the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season.
Looking back 10 years later
Asked how it feels looking back 10 years later, Gallant said the time has passed quickly.
“It’s been a long time, but it seems like it was yesterday, to be honest with you,” Gallant said. “It was a great run here, and that first year was incredible. We talk about that all the time, but it doesn’t seem like 10 years.”
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The first season
Gallant said the team’s first game stood out among his memories.
“Well, the most exciting thing, I think, was the first game, obviously,” Gallant said. “It’s a huge thing, how we got off to such a great start. First game in our building, obviously, that was very special.”
Gallant also pointed to the team’s use of five different goaltenders over its first 30 games.
“But the way that team played, and I always remember people talked about their team, but those first 30 games when we had five different goaltenders in the net, that was incredible, the start we got off with that with the five different goaltenders,” Gallant said. “Fleury was a star, obviously, but the other guys filled in very well, and that gave us a chance to get a lot of confidence, and that built our team, I thought.”
Run to the Stanley Cup Final
Gallant described the team’s playoff run, including its series win over Winnipeg in the semifinals.
“When we won in Winnipeg in the semifinals, to get to the Stanley Cup Finals, that was real special to see the trophy in the dressing room and the players all surrounded around that trophy and knowing we’re going to play with the Stanley Cup and we had home ice advantage in Vegas,” Gallant said. “So that was very special. But that whole playoff was special. To start it off, to beat L.A. four straight and play great hockey. And then we go, and we beat San Jose, and I think six games, five or six games. And then again, we go to Winnipeg and beat a very good Winnipeg team in five games. So that was, that was a special.”
Sapienza noted that former defenseman Deryk Engelland said he “shouldn’t have touched the cup” in Winnipeg.
“No, I don’t. I’m not a believer of that. I really am,” Gallant said. “But if we had another chance, he’s not touching it. But I would never. For me, that was, it didn’t matter.”
Reflecting on the franchise’s growth
Gallant, who is back in Vegas as the Golden Knights celebrate their 10th season, said he takes pride in being part of the organization’s foundation.
“It was outstanding,” Gallant said. “To see where the organization is and how great a job they’ve done here, those two and a half years, I’m very proud of, obviously, and things went very well. Didn’t get a chance to win the Stanley Cup or a championship, but we were close, and we pushed it in the right direction, and that’s hockey. So I got no regrets and had a lot of fun and if I could say, I’d love to be still here year 10, I’d love to still be the head coach.”
Asked whether he is surprised by the organization’s continued success since 2023, Gallant said he is not.
“No, I can’t say surprise anymore because this is the place where players want to come,” Gallant said. “I mean, Vegas is a great spot. They know how good the facilities here are and how they get treated here, and they got a chance to win here every year, and that’s what they do. Free agency, a lot of guys want to come here, and like I always say to somebody, I started it out there, so that’s why everybody wants to go there. It’s been a great spot, and they won the first year and, you know, so it’s been fun.”
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