Former Canadiens head coach joins staff of Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights have hired Dominique Ducharme and Joel Ward as assistant coaches for the 2023-24 season. The Golden Knights are the defending Stanley Cup champions and these two hires could help them on their way in the chase for a second straight championship.

Ducharme most recently served as the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens during the 2021-22 season. He was fired 45 games into the campaign with the team holding a record of 8-30-7. They immediately rebounded when they hired Martin St. Louis as replacement. Ducharme hasn’t held an NHL job since.

For his part, Ward was an assistant coach for the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL, the Golden Knights’ affiliate team. He spent three seasons at the lower level and will be behind an NHL bench for the first time in his career this coming season. Ward was notably a long-time NHL veteran of 11 season, known for being a strong middle-six winger who worked his way up from the University of Prince Edward Island all the way to a long NHL career.

“We are extremely pleased with the additions of Dominique and Joel to our coaching staff here in Vegas”, said Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon in a statement. “Dominique brings a wealth of coaching experience into our organization and has proven to be a successful leader at multiple levels. Joel has excelled in Henderson during the first three years of his promising career as a coach and we’re excited for him to be taking his next step with us.”

Ducharme has had success in the past as a head coach. He won the QMJHL championship while coaching the Halifax Mooseheads to a 58-6-4 record during the 2012-13 season. Ward went to the Stanley Cup Final when he was a member of the San Jose Sharks for their 2015-16 run. The Golden Knights will attempt to replicate this season’s success with these two men behind the bench and become the first team since the Tampa Bay Lightning to win back-to-back Stanley Cups.