| Bruce Cassidy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Cassidy in 2011 | |||
| Born | (1965-05-20)May 20, 1965 (age 59) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 176 lb (80 kg; 12 st 8 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Chicago Blackhawks | ||
| CurrentNHL coach | Vegas Golden Knights | ||
| Coached for | Washington Capitals Boston Bruins | ||
| NHL draft | 18th overall,1983 Chicago Blackhawks | ||
| Playing career | 1984–1996 | ||
| Coaching career | 1997–present | ||
Bruce James Cassidy (born May 20, 1965), nicknamed "Butch", is a Canadian professionalice hockey coach and former player who is thehead coach for theVegas Golden Knights of theNational Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 18th overall, by theChicago Blackhawks in the1983 NHL Entry Draft. As a coach, Cassidy won theStanley Cup with the Golden Knights in2023.
Cassidy was a defenceman who played in theOntario Hockey League (OHL) with theOttawa 67's from 1982 to 1985, and he was selected by theChicago Black Hawks of theNational Hockey League (NHL) in the1983 NHL Entry Draft, selected in the first round, 18th overall. Cassidy's best OHL season was in 1982–83, when he registered 25 goals and 86 assists for 111 points. He won the Memorial Cup under coachBrian Kilrea in 1984 scoring 12 points. At age 19, he made his NHL debut with the Black Hawks in March 1984. From 1984 to 1988, he had three knee surgeries, including major reconstruction of his ACL.
Between 1985 and 1990, Cassidy would spend most of his time in the Black Hawks' minor league system, playing with theNova Scotia Oilers of theAmerican Hockey League (AHL), theSaginaw Generals of theInternational Hockey League (IHL), theSaginaw Hawks of the IHL and theIndianapolis Ice, also in the IHL.
Cassidy's NHL playing career was limited due to his knee surgeries. He would also play 36 games with the Blackhawks during those years, scoring 4 goals and adding 13 assists for 17 points, along with 10penalty minutes.
After winning theTurner Cup in the IHL, Cassidy signed withAlleghe HC in Italy and played two years with the club 1990–1992 and 1992–1993 in theItalian Ice Hockey League, appearing in 51 games and earning 117 points (35 goals and 82 assists).
After his stint in Italy, Cassidy then spent the 1993–94 season withESV Kaufbeuren of the German Hockey League, earning 17 points (8 goals and 9 assists) in 35 games.
Cassidy then returned to the Blackhawks organization with theIndianapolis Ice from 1994 to 1997 before retiring as a player ten games into the 1996–97 season to take a head coaching job with theJacksonville Lizard Kings of theECHL mid-season.
Cassidy retired as a player with the Indianapolis Ice of the IHL to become head coach of theJacksonville Lizard Kings of the ECHL in1996–97. Cassidy took over the team which started the year 6–12–2, and led them to a 15–25–10 record.
The Lizard Kings greatly improved in Cassidy's second year with the team, finishing with a 35–29–6 record for 76 points.
In 1998–99, Cassidy was promoted to head coach of the Indianapolis Ice of the IHL, the club finished the year at 33–37–12 for 78 points and qualified for the playoffs. In the first round, they played the heavily favouredCincinnati Cyclones in a best of three series, and the Cyclones won Game 1 4–2. The Ice came back and won Game 2 4–3 in overtime, and then took the series by winning 1–0 in Game 3 in Cincinnati. In the second round, the Ice fell three games to one to theDetroit Vipers and were eliminated from the playoffs.
As the Ice folded after the 1998–99 season, Cassidy took the head coaching job with the expansionTrenton Titans of the ECHL, leading them to a 37–29–4 record, good for fourth place in the Northeast Division. The Titans made short work of theRichmond Renegades in the first round, sweeping them three games to none. In the second round, they faced off against theHampton Roads Admirals, and beat them three games to two. The Titans would then fall four games to two to thePeoria Rivermen, in the semi-finals.
Cassidy then moved to theDetroit Red Wings organization to become head coach of theGrand Rapids Griffins of the IHL. The club finished with the best record in the league (53–22–7 for 113 points), and they swept theCleveland Lumberjacks in four games before falling to theOrlando Solar Bears in six games in the semi-finals.
Cassidy returned to Grand Rapids for the 2001–02 season, leading them to another division title with a 42–27–11 (95 points) record, but the team lost in the first round to theChicago Wolves in five games.
TheWashington Capitals of the NHL took notice of Cassidy's success in the minors and hired him to become the head coach of the club in2002–03. The Capitals finished in second place in the Southeast with a 39–29–8–6 (92 points) record, were seeded sixth in the Eastern Conference and faced the third-seededTampa Bay Lightning in the opening round of the2003 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Capitals won the first two games in Tampa Bay, but the Lightning rebounded and won four straight games to eliminate the Capitals.
Cassidy returned as head coach in2003–04. However, just 25 games into the season with an 8–16–1 record, he was fired and replaced by assistant coachGlen Hanlon. The club would go on to finish with the third-worst record in the NHL under Hanlon (23–46–10–3 for 59 points), but won thedraft lottery and choseAlexander Ovechkin with their first overall pick in the2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Cassidy signed on as an assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks in June 2004. With theNHL lockout cancelling the2004–05 season, Cassidy was behind the Blackhawks bench as an assistant to head coachTrent Yawney for the2005–06 season. The Blackhawks struggled to a 26–43–13 record, earning 65 points and missed the2006 playoffs. Cassidy's contract was not renewed. Because the team finished poorly, Cassidy's former team again secured a draft lottery pick following his departure, selectingJonathan Toews with the third overall pick.
Cassidy was hired by the OHL'sKingston Frontenacs on July 12, 2006. On September 10, 2006, in a pre-season exhibition game between Kingston and the Ottawa 67's, Cassidy got the chance to coach against his former coach and mentor Kilrea; the Frontenacs lost 4–3, thanks to Ottawa's three-point men Matt Lahey and Thomas Kiriakou, who each had two goals and an assist. During the regular season, Cassidy quickly rebounded in the home opener and beat his former proud mentor by 9–5.
During his first season as head coach, the Frontenacs would finish with a 31–30–7 record, earning them 69 points and fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The Fronts would face theOshawa Generals in the first round of the playoffs, but would be eliminated in five games.
Cassidy returned to Kingston to begin the 2007–08 season. However, after a rough 2–9–1 start to the season, he was fired and replaced byLarry Mavety. Cassidy finished with a 33–39–8 record with the club.
Cassidy joined theProvidence Bruins of the AHL as an assistant coach in the2008–09 season under head coachRob Murray. Cassidy held this position for three years before being promoted to head coach of the team for the2011–12 season after Murray was fired.
During his first season as head coach, the club posted a 35–34–7 record, earning 77 points and failing to qualify for the playoffs.
In his second season with Providence in2012–13, the Bruins had the best record in the AHL, going 50–21–5 for 105 points, securing first place in the Atlantic Division. In the first round of the playoffs, the Bruins defeated theHershey Bears in five games, setting up a second-round series against theWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Providence took a commanding 3–0 lead in the best-of-seven series, however, the Penguins mounted a comeback, and won the final four games to upset the Bruins in seven games.
Providence made the playoffs once again in2013–14, finishing with a 40–25–11 record, earning 91 points and seventh place in the Eastern Conference. In the first round, the Bruins upset the second seededSpringfield Falcons in five games, before again losing to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in seven games in the second round.
In2014–15, Cassidy led the Bruins to their third consecutive season with 40 or more victories, as Providence earned a 41–26–9 record, getting 91 points, as the club finished in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, the Bruins lost to theHartford Wolf Pack in five games, losing the final game in overtime to be eliminated.
During the2015–16 season, Cassidy led the team to a 41–22–13 record with them finishing in fourth place in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. The team lost the Division Semifinals to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in three games.
On May 24, 2016, Cassidy joined theBoston Bruins as assistant coach for the2016–17 season.[1] On February 7, 2017, he was named interim head coach after head coachClaude Julien was fired,[2] and on April 26, the Bruins named him the new head coach.[3] In his first full year as Bruins head coach, he led the team to a 50–20–12 regular season record, collecting 112 points and securing the second seed in theAtlantic Division. In the playoffs, his team defeated their rivals, theToronto Maple Leafs, 4–3 and advanced to the second round against theTampa Bay Lightning, losing in five games.
In the2018–19 season, Cassidy led the Bruins to an appearance in the2019 Stanley Cup Finals, where the team lost to theSt. Louis Blues in seven games.[4] On September 11, 2019, he signed a multi-year contract extension.[5]
In the shortened2019–20 season, Cassidy coached the Bruins to a 44–14–12 record for 100 points, capturing thePresidents' Trophy for the third time in franchise history.[6] The Bruins went on to lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round for the second time in three seasons.[7] In the off-season, Cassidy was named the winner of the 2019–20Jack Adams Award, given to the best NHL coach annually.[8]
On June 6, 2022, the Bruins relieved Cassidy of his head coaching duties[9] after a game seven loss to theCarolina Hurricanes during the2022 Stanley Cup playoffs.
On June 14, 2022, eight days after getting fired by the Bruins, Cassidy was hired by theVegas Golden Knights as the third head coach in franchise history, replacingPeter DeBoer.[10] In his first season, Cassidy won the Stanley Cup with the Golden Knights on June 13, 2023.[11]
Cassidy and his wife have two children. He also has a son from a previous relationship. Cassidy has been given the nickname "Butch", after Wild West outlawButch Cassidy,[12] and has been referred to as such by players on many occasions.[13][14][15]
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1981–82 | Hawkesbury Hawks | CCHL | 37 | 13 | 30 | 43 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | Ottawa 67's | OHL | 70 | 25 | 86 | 111 | 33 | 9 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 10 | ||
| 1983–84 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | Ottawa 67's | OHL | 67 | 27 | 68 | 95 | 58 | 13 | 6 | 16 | 22 | 6 | ||
| 1983–84 | Ottawa 67's | MC | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 10 | ||
| 1984–85 | Ottawa 67's | OHL | 28 | 13 | 27 | 40 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Chicago Black Hawks | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Nova Scotia Oilers | AHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Nova Scotia Oilers | AHL | 19 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1986–87 | Saginaw Generals | IHL | 10 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 21 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Saginaw Hawks | IHL | 60 | 9 | 37 | 46 | 59 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 19 | ||
| 1988–89 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1988–89 | Saginaw Hawks | IHL | 72 | 16 | 64 | 80 | 80 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1989–90 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Indianapolis Ice | IHL | 75 | 11 | 46 | 57 | 56 | 14 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 20 | ||
| 1990–91 | Alleghe HC | ITA | 36 | 23 | 52 | 75 | 20 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 2 | ||
| 1991–92 | Alleghe HC | ITA | 18 | 11 | 18 | 29 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 2 | ||
| 1991–92 | Alleghe HC | AL | 18 | 13 | 28 | 41 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Alleghe HC | ITA | 16 | 6 | 22 | 28 | 4 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 6 | ||
| 1992–93 | Alleghe HC | AL | 32 | 19 | 40 | 59 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | EHC Biel-Bienne | NDA | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | ESV Kaufbeuren | 1.GBun | 33 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Indianapolis Ice | IHL | 29 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Indianapolis Ice | IHL | 56 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 46 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 1996–97 | Indianapolis Ice | IHL | 10 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 36 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| IHL totals | 312 | 45 | 193 | 238 | 274 | 35 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 49 | ||||
| ITA totals | 70 | 40 | 92 | 132 | 34 | 28 | 16 | 27 | 43 | 10 | ||||
| Year | Team | Comp | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | WJC | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | Finish | W | L | W% | Result | ||
| WSH | 2002–03 | 82 | 39 | 29 | 8 | 6 | 92 | 2nd inSoutheast | 2 | 4 | .333 | Lost in conference quarterfinals (TBL) |
| WSH | 2003–04 | 28 | 8 | 18 | 1 | 1 | (18) | (fired) | — | — | — | — |
| WSH total | 110 | 47 | 47 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 4 | .333 | 1 playoff appearance | |||
| BOS | 2016–17 | 27 | 18 | 8 | — | 1 | (37) | 3rd inAtlantic | 2 | 4 | .333 | Lost in first round (OTT) |
| BOS | 2017–18 | 82 | 50 | 20 | — | 12 | 112 | 2nd in Atlantic | 5 | 7 | .417 | Lost in second round (TBL) |
| BOS | 2018–19 | 82 | 49 | 24 | — | 9 | 107 | 2nd in Atlantic | 15 | 9 | .625 | Lost inStanley Cup Finals (STL) |
| BOS | 2019–20 | 70 | 44 | 14 | — | 12 | 100 | 1st in Atlantic | 5 | 8 | .385 | Lost in second round (TBL) |
| BOS | 2020–21 | 56 | 33 | 16 | — | 7 | 73 | 3rd inEast | 6 | 5 | .545 | Lost in second round (NYI) |
| BOS | 2021–22 | 82 | 51 | 26 | — | 5 | 107 | 4th in Atlantic | 3 | 4 | .429 | Lost in first round (CAR) |
| BOS total | 399 | 245 | 108 | — | 46 | 36 | 37 | .493 | 6 playoff appearances | |||
| VGK | 2022–23 | 82 | 51 | 22 | — | 9 | 111 | 1st inPacific | 16 | 6 | .727 | WonStanley Cup (FLA) |
| VGK | 2023–24 | 82 | 45 | 29 | — | 8 | 98 | 4th in Pacific | 3 | 4 | .429 | Lost in first round (DAL) |
| VGK total | 164 | 96 | 51 | — | 17 | 19 | 10 | .655 | 2 playoff appearances 1 Stanley Cup | |||
| Total | 591 | 343 | 177 | 9 | 62 | 57 | 51 | .528 | 9 playoff appearances | |||
| Team | Year | Regular Season | Post Season | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | Finish | Result | ||
| JAX | 1996–97 | 50 | 15 | 25 | 10 | — | 40 | 8th in South | Missed playoffs |
| JAX | 1997–98 | 70 | 35 | 29 | 6 | — | 76 | 3rd in Southeast | Missed playoffs |
| IND | 1998–99 | 82 | 33 | 37 | — | 12 | 78 | 3rd in Central | Lost in second round (CC) |
| TRE | 1999–00 | 70 | 37 | 29 | — | 4 | 78 | 4th in Northeast | Lost in fourth round (PR) |
| GRG | 2000–01 | 82 | 53 | 22 | — | 7 | 113 | 1st in East | Lost in second round (OSB) |
| GRG | 2001–02 | 80 | 42 | 27 | 11 | 0 | 95 | 1st in West | Lost in first round (CHI) |
| KGN | 2006–07 | 68 | 31 | 30 | — | 7 | 69 | 3rd in East | Lost in first round (OSH) |
| KGN | 2007–08 | 12 | 2 | 9 | — | 1 | 5 | 5th in East | Fired |
| PRO | 2011–12 | 76 | 35 | 34 | — | 7 | 77 | 4th in Atlantic | Missed playoffs |
| PRO | 2012–13 | 76 | 50 | 21 | — | 5 | 105 | 1st in Atlantic | Lost in second round (WBS) |
| PRO | 2013–14 | 76 | 40 | 25 | — | 11 | 91 | 3rd in Atlantic | Lost in second round (WBS) |
| PRO | 2014–15 | 76 | 41 | 26 | — | 9 | 91 | 2nd in Atlantic | Lost in first round (HFD) |
| PRO | 2015–16 | 76 | 41 | 22 | — | 13 | 95 | 2nd in Atlantic | Lost in first round (WBS) |
| ECHL Total | 190 | 87 | 83 | 16 | 4 | 194 | |||
| IHL Total | 164 | 86 | 59 | — | 19 | 191 | |||
| OHL Total | 80 | 33 | 39 | — | 8 | 74 | |||
| AHL Total | 460 | 249 | 155 | 11 | 45 | 554 | |||
| Preceded by | Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick 1983 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins 2000–2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head coach of the Washington Capitals 2002–03 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head coach of the Kingston Frontenacs 2006–2008 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head coach of the Providence Bruins 2011–2016 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head coach of the Boston Bruins 2017–2022 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights 2022–present | Incumbent |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Jack Adams Award 2020 | Succeeded by |
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