Alain Vigneault facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alain Vigneault |
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Vigneault with the Vancouver Canucks in April 2009
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| Born | May 14, 1961 Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | St. Louis Blues | ||
| Coached for | Montreal Canadiens Vancouver Canucks New York Rangers Philadelphia Flyers |
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| NHL Draft | 167th overall, 1981 St. Louis Blues |
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| Playing career | 1981–1984 | ||
| Coaching career | 1986–2021 | ||
Alain Vigneault (born May 14, 1961) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey coach. He coached in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 19 seasons. Vigneault led teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers. He also coached in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
During his time with the Vancouver Canucks, he won the Jack Adams Award in 2007. This award is given to the NHL's best coach of the year. He also became the Canucks' coach with the most wins. Under Vigneault, Vancouver won the Presidents' Trophy twice. This trophy goes to the team with the best regular season record. They also reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011.
In his first year with the New York Rangers, he led them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014. This was their first appearance in 20 years. The Rangers also won the Presidents' Trophy in 2015 under his coaching. Before becoming a coach, Vigneault played professional hockey as a defenceman. He played 42 games over two seasons for the St. Louis Blues in the NHL.
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Playing Career
Alain Vigneault started playing hockey as a child. He played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments. He then played as a defenceman in the QMJHL. He played for the Hull Olympiques and the Trois Rivieres Draveurs.
After his junior career, the St. Louis Blues picked him in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the Blues in the 1981–82 season. He played 14 games and scored 1 goal and 2 assists. He also played in the minor leagues for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles. The next season, he played 28 games for the Blues. He scored another goal and three assists. Vigneault finished his playing career in 1984. He played for the Maine Mariners and the Montana Magic.
Coaching Career
Alain Vigneault began coaching at age 25 in 1986. He started in the QMJHL, coaching the Trois-Rivières Draveurs and the Hull Olympiques. In 1988, he led the Olympiques to a playoff championship.
Early NHL and Montreal Canadiens
In 1992, Vigneault got his first job in the NHL. He became an assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators. After a few years, he returned to the QMJHL to coach the Beauport Harfangs. He led them to the QMJHL Finals.
In 1997, Vigneault became a head coach in the NHL for the first time. He coached the Montreal Canadiens. In his first season, the Canadiens made it to the second round of the playoffs. The next year, they did not make the playoffs. In his third season, he was nominated for the Jack Adams Award. This award is for the league's best coach. He was fired midway through the next season.
After leaving the Canadiens, he coached the Prince Edward Island Rocket in the QMJHL for two seasons.
Vancouver Canucks
In 2005, Vigneault joined the Vancouver Canucks organization. He coached their minor-league team, the Manitoba Moose. After a successful season with the Moose, he became the Canucks' head coach in 2006. He replaced Marc Crawford. Vigneault was known for his defensive coaching style.
In his first season with the Canucks, they won a team record 49 games. They won their division and finished third in the Western Conference. The Canucks won their first playoff series. They then lost in the second round to the Anaheim Ducks. For his great season, Vigneault won the Jack Adams Award in 2007.
The Canucks missed the playoffs in 2008. But Vigneault was re-signed for another year. In 2009, the Canucks returned to the playoffs. They won their division again. They swept the St. Louis Blues in the first round. However, they lost in the second round to the Chicago Blackhawks.
In 2009, Vigneault signed a three-year contract extension. The Canucks had another strong season in 2009–10. They won 49 games and their division. They won their first playoff series. But they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks again in the second round.
The 2010–11 season was amazing for the Canucks. They won their first-ever Presidents' Trophy. This means they were the best team in the regular season. They won 54 games and had 117 points. In the 2011 playoffs, they reached the Stanley Cup Finals. It was their first time since 1994. They lost the series in seven games to the Boston Bruins. Vigneault was nominated for the Jack Adams Award again.
The Canucks won the Presidents' Trophy again in the 2011–12 season. On November 23, 2011, Vigneault became the Canucks' winningest coach. He earned his 247th victory with the team. But in the 2012 playoffs, the Canucks lost in the first round.
In the 2012–13 season, the Canucks won their division for the fifth straight year. But they were swept in the first round of the playoffs. Vigneault was fired on May 22, 2013.
New York Rangers
On June 21, 2013, the New York Rangers hired Vigneault as their new head coach. He signed a five-year contract. The Rangers started the 2013–14 season slowly. But they finished very strong. They made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. This was their first trip there since 1994. They lost the series in five games to the Los Angeles Kings.
On February 14, 2015, Vigneault earned his 500th career win. He became the 21st coach in NHL history to reach this milestone. In the 2014–15 season, the Rangers set a team record with 113 points. They won the NHL's Presidents' Trophy for the first time since 1994. Vigneault was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award for the fourth time.
In the 2015 playoffs, the Rangers won their first-round series. They then faced the Washington Capitals. The Rangers fell behind 3–1 in the series. But they came back to win the series in seven games. This sent them to the Eastern Conference Finals. They lost in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
On December 11, 2015, Vigneault coached his 1,000th NHL game. On April 7, 2018, the Rangers fired Vigneault. They had missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
Philadelphia Flyers
On April 15, 2019, the Philadelphia Flyers hired Vigneault as their head coach. In his first season with the Flyers (2019–20), he led them to a strong record. They made the playoffs before the season ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vigneault was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award again.
In the 2020 playoffs, the Flyers defeated his former team, the Montreal Canadiens. They then lost in the next round to the New York Islanders.
On February 28, 2021, Vigneault won his 700th career game as a head coach. He became the ninth coach in NHL history to reach this mark. On December 6, 2021, the Flyers fired Vigneault. The team had an 8–10–4 record and was on an eight-game losing streak.
Awards and Accomplishments
- Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award (QMJHL) – 1988
- Jack Adams Award winner (NHL coach of the year) – 2007
- Named a co-coach for the 58th National Hockey League All-Star Game – 2011
- Vancouver Canucks all-time winningest coach - 313
See Also
- List of NHL head coaches
