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Alain Vigneault

Alain Vigneault is a Canadian former ice hockey coach and former defenceman, best known for head-coaching several QMJHL and NHL teams.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Alain Vigneault is a Canadian former ice hockey coach and former defenceman, best known for head-coaching several QMJHL and NHL teams. He won the NHL’s Jack Adams Award in 2007 and later coached the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers.

Early life and playing career

Born in Quebec City, Vigneault played as a defenceman in junior hockey and was active in the QMJHL from 1977 to 1981 with the Hull Olympiques and Trois-Rivières Draveurs. Hockey-Reference lists him as born in 1961 and notes that he last played professionally in 1983.

Coaching career in junior hockey

Vigneault began coaching in the QMJHL and held head-coaching roles with the Trois-Rivières Draveurs, Hull Olympiques, Beauport Harfangs, and Rocket de Montréal/PEI. The Canadian Hockey League credits him with 385 wins in 767 QMJHL games.

NHL coaching career

He coached the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL. The CHL profile says he had 722 regular-season NHL wins in 1,363 games and 78 playoff wins in 155 games.

Awards and recognition

Vigneault won the NHL’s Jack Adams Award in 2007 as coach of the year. Hockey-Reference also lists that award among his coaching honours.

Key facts

  • Alain Vigneault is a Canadian former ice hockey coach and former defenceman.
  • He won the Jack Adams Award in 2007 as NHL coach of the year.
  • He coached the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers.
  • He accumulated 722 NHL regular-season wins in 1,363 games.
  • He also had 385 wins in 767 QMJHL games.
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Canadian context

Vigneault is a Quebec-born Canadian coach whose career spans Canadian junior hockey and NHL teams, including the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks. His career is closely tied to the QMJHL and to Canadian hockey development.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Alain Vigneault?
He is a Canadian former ice hockey coach and former defenceman, known for coaching in the QMJHL and NHL.
What NHL teams did Alain Vigneault coach?
He coached the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers.
What award did Alain Vigneault win?
He won the Jack Adams Award in 2007 as the NHL’s coach of the year.
Where was Alain Vigneault born?
He was born in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
What position did Alain Vigneault play?
He played as a defenceman.
How successful was Alain Vigneault as a coach?
The Canadian Hockey League lists 385 wins in 767 QMJHL games and 722 NHL regular-season wins in 1,363 games.

References

  1. Canadian Hockey League / LHJMQ — https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/alain-vigneault/
    Supports: Birthplace, junior playing career, QMJHL coaching history, NHL coaching history, Jack Adams Award, and career coaching records.
  2. Hockey-Reference — https://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/vigneal01c.html
    Supports: Jack Adams Award and coaching record reference.
  3. Hockey-Reference — https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/v/vigneal01.html
    Supports: Date of birth, birthplace, playing position, and last playing year.
  4. Elite Prospects — https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/422/alain-vigneault
    Supports: Date of birth, birthplace, nationality, and Philadelphia Flyers coaching tenure.