Shanghai Dragons welcome Gerard Gallant as new head coach

The Shanghai Dragons have announced their head coach for the upcoming 2025-2026 campaign, Gerard Gallant. It’s a bold move by the Dragons, who will try to return to playoffs hockey after eight seasons of hiatus.

Gerard Gallant is a Canadian accomplished NHL coach and former player, widely respected for his ability to lead and motivate teams. As a player, Gallant, who hails from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, enjoyed a successful career primarily with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1980s, known for his gritty style and offensive contributions alongside stars like Steve Yzerman.

Gallant’s coaching career began in the minors before he earned an NHL head coaching role with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2003. Gallant truly rose to prominence, however, during his tenure with the Florida Panthers, where he guided the team to a franchise-record 103-point season in 2015–2016. He gained further acclaim as the first head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights, leading the expansion team to a run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season (2017–2018), earning the Jack Adams Award as the NHL Coach of the Year.

Later, Gallant took over the New York Rangers in 2021, quickly guiding them to the Eastern Conference Final in his first season. Most recently, the PE native coached Team Canada at the 2025 Spengler Cup in Switzerland. Known for fostering balanced, high-energy hockey and getting the best from his roster, Gallant’s coaching legacy is defined by his ability to turn teams into contenders quickly, blending structure, accountability, and an up-tempo style. Gallant’s leadership and proven ability to turn teams into contenders give the Dragons the structure, belief, and winning mentality they’ve been missing—making a long-awaited playoff return a realistic goal.