Pascal Vincent stepped down as head coach of the Montreal Rocket on June 11, 2026 to assume an assistant coaching position with the Seattle Kraken. The move ends a two‑season tenure in which Vincent led the Rocket, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens.
During his time with Montreal’s AHL club, Vincent oversaw the development of prospects and managed day‑to‑day operations on the ice. His departure creates a vacancy at the top of the Rocket’s coaching staff as the organization prepares for the upcoming season.
Seattle’s hiring of Vincent adds a coach with recent AHL head‑coaching experience to its NHL bench. The Kraken announced the appointment shortly after the resignation was confirmed, indicating that the former Rocket leader will join the team’s existing coaching roster.
Vincent’s transition from an AHL head‑coaching role to an NHL assistant position reflects a common pathway for coaches seeking to advance within professional hockey. The shift also aligns with Seattle’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its coaching personnel ahead of the next campaign.
Both the Montreal Rocket and the Seattle Kraken are expected to issue further statements regarding the staffing changes. The Rocket will begin a search for a new head coach, while the Kraken will integrate Vincent into its coaching staff as the franchise looks to build on its recent progress.