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Gerard Gallant

Gerard Gallant is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach from Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gerard Gallant is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach from Summerside, Prince Edward Island. He played in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning, and later coached several NHL teams, including the Vegas Golden Knights and New York Rangers.

Playing career

Gallant was a left wing who played 11 NHL seasons, mainly for the Detroit Red Wings. He was born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, and was selected 107th overall in the 1981 NHL draft.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Gallant became a coach in junior hockey and the NHL. His NHL head-coaching roles included Columbus, Florida, Vegas, and New York.

Awards and honours

Gallant won the Jack Adams Award in 2018. He also earned recognition in junior hockey for his coaching success with the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Notable achievements

As an NHL player, Gallant scored 211 goals and 480 points. As a coach, he helped the expansion Vegas Golden Knights reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2018.

Key facts

  • Gallant played 615 NHL regular-season games and recorded 211 goals and 480 points.
  • He spent most of his playing career with the Detroit Red Wings and finished with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
  • He was drafted by Detroit in 1981 and later became a head coach in the NHL and other leagues.
  • Gallant won the Jack Adams Award in 2018 as NHL coach of the year.
  • He coached the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season.
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Canadian context

Gallant is a Prince Edward Island native and one of the best-known hockey figures from Atlantic Canada. His coaching and playing career are relevant to Canadian hockey history, including junior hockey success and roles with Team Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Gerard Gallant?
Gerard Gallant is a Canadian former NHL player and coach from Prince Edward Island.
What teams did Gerard Gallant play for?
He played for the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL.
When was Gerard Gallant born?
He was born on September 2, 1963.
What position did Gerard Gallant play?
He played left wing.
What is Gerard Gallant known for as a coach?
He is known for coaching the Vegas Golden Knights to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final and winning the Jack Adams Award that year.
Is Gerard Gallant from Canada?
Yes. He was born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

References

  1. National Hockey League — https://www.nhl.com/player/gerard-gallant-8447001
    Supports: Birth date and place, position, shooting side, draft details, playing statistics
  2. Hockey-Reference — https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/g/gallage01.html
    Supports: Birth date and place, physical stats, career totals, retirement year
  3. PEI Sports Hall of Fame — https://peisportshalloffame.ca/gallant-gerard-turk-hockey/
    Supports: Prince Edward Island background, playing and coaching accomplishments, Rangers coaching record
  4. Canadian Hockey League / LHJMQ — https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/gerard-gallant/
    Supports: Junior coaching achievements with Saint John Sea Dogs and league recognition
  5. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/4184/gerard-gallant
    Supports: Draft information, birthplace, and player identification