Golden Knights promote Ryan Craig as head coach after parting ways with John Tortorella

LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights have promoted Ryan Craig to head coach, replacing John Tortorella, the team announced Wednesday.

Craig has been the organization’s American Hockey League coach, leading the Henderson Silver Knights each of the past three seasons. He joined the Golden Knights’ staff for their inaugural season in 2017-18 and was an assistant for six seasons, including their 2023 Stanley Cup title.

The 44-year-old Craig replaces John Tortorella after it was announced Tuesday he would not be returning to the team after being hired with eight games left in the regular season, replacing the fired Bruce Cassidy. Tortorella went 7-0-1 in the regular season before the run to the Stanley Cup Final where Vegas lost to Carolina, 4-2, after taking a 2-1 lead.

Craig was selected in the eighth round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2002 NHL draft. He had 63 points (32 goals, 31 assists) in 198 regular-season games for the Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets and no points in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

“We thank ‘Torts’ for the guidance he provided our team since joining the organization in March,” VGK general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “When the decision was made to bring Torts to Vegas, we needed an immediate impact to help us at a pivotal point in the season. Torts’ experience and leadership proved to be the boost that we were looking for, helping guide us to the Stanley Cup Final. We are grateful for Torts’ passion, sincerity, and commitment to our organization, and we wish him and his family the best.”

Craig will address reporters on Thursday.