Gerard Gallant

Lore & Background

Gallant grew up in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, near a local ice rink, where he swept stands for extra ice time. He earned the nickname 'Turk' as a young child and was also called 'Spuddy' by NHL teammates due to Prince Edward Island's reputation as the potato capital of Canada. At age 16, playing for the Summerside Crystals of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League, he scored 60 goals and 115 points in 45 games. In junior hockey, he played for three Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams and served as team captain in his final year.

Gallant made his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings on January 22, 1985, scoring against New York Islanders goaltender Billy Smith. He suffered a broken jaw in a fight with Dirk Graham in December 1985, missing six weeks. In a 1986 game, he accidentally cut Börje Salming's face with his skate blade, requiring over 200 stitches. Despite his smaller stature (5 ft 10 in, 180 lbs), Gallant played as a power forward, often on a line with Steve Yzerman and either Bob Probert or Paul MacLean. He was named to the NHL All-Star Second Team for the 1988–89 season. Back injuries cut short his career; he retired in 1995 after a career-ending back injury in practice with the Detroit Vipers of the IHL.

Gallant began coaching in 1995–96 with the Summerside Capitals, leading them to the Royal Bank Cup in 1997. He later coached in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs, winning two President's Cups and one Memorial Cup, and was twice named CHL coach of the year. In the NHL, he served as head coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, and New York Rangers, and was a three-time finalist for the Jack Adams Award, winning in 2018.

Reader's Guide

Gallant's NHL playing career was defined by his time with the Detroit Red Wings, where he combined scoring with physical play. In the 1988–89 season, he recorded 39 goals, 54 assists, and 230 penalty minutes, a statistical combination first achieved in NHL history. His coach Jacques Demers believed Gallant's frequent fighting prevented him from reaching 50 goals in a season. Gallant served as alternate captain and acted as captain while Steve Yzerman was injured in 1988. He played for Team Canada at the 1989 World Ice Hockey Championships, winning a silver medal alongside Yzerman.

As a coach, Gallant's most notable achievement came with the Vegas Golden Knights in their inaugural 2017–18 season, for which he won the Jack Adams Award. He also led the Saint John Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup championship in 2011. His coaching career included stints as an assistant for Team Canada, winning a gold medal at the 2007 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships under general manager Steve Yzerman. Gallant's coaching style and career reflect his background as a tough, competitive player who was described by former Wings coach Nick Polano as 'a tough kid, a tough competitor' and 'a [expletive] to play against.'

Did You Know?

• Gallant scored a goal in his NHL debut against Hall of Fame goaltender Billy Smith.
• He won the Jack Adams Award in 2018 as NHL coach of the year with the Vegas Golden Knights.