DENVER – A goal, a Hockey Night towel in Canada and a mom who is watching her son play hockey. Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Dylan Coghlan.
The 28-year-old Coghlan opened the scoring in the Western Conference Final on Wednesday night in his Vegas Golden Knights’ 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Coghlan took a pass from Brandon Saad and hit a wrist shot between the legs of Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood. Vegas now leads the series, 1-0, and Game 2 is set for Friday night here in Denver.
Signed by the Golden Knights back in 2018, Coghlan hasn’t had a clear path so far. Vegas promoted him to the AHL before promoting him to the NHL for parts of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. From there it went to the Carolina Hurricanes at work. The Hurricanes, Chicago Wolves, Springfield Thunderbirds, Winnipeg Jets, and Manitoba Moose will follow.
Over the past three seasons, Coghlan has played in 10 NHL regular season games. The Golden Knights called him three games this season while putting together a great campaign with the Henderson Silver Knights scoring 14 goals and 30 assists.
Midway through the second round against the Anaheim Ducks, Vegas needed a blueliner and recalled Coghlan. He came in and played quietly and showed that he really belongs in the NHL.
“I don’t think I’ve ever thought about that, to be honest. My whole pro career, I’ve always said I’m an NHL player and I need an opportunity to prove that,” Coghlan said on the Golden Knights Radio Network during the second halftime on Wednesday. “I’m more thankful that I show that later than never.” So yeah, I really appreciate the coaching staff here and Kelly. [McCrimmon] and George [McPhee] and all, and putting their trust in me, and that strengthens me.”
McCrimmon signed Coghlan as a free agent over the summer based on the strong relationship between the two and the GM’s belief that Coghlan could be a great asset to his AHL team while holding NHL potential.
“When you say Dylan Coghlan to me, I don’t think fear,” Golden Knights coach John Tortorella said. “I don’t think he’s afraid to play, I think he’s one of our best defenders as he’s been with us and he’s been sitting in the top until there are spaces, he’s not afraid to stand up in plays, I think he’s just playing, he’s not playing.
“You have to be really careful about stopping [defensemen]because you just never know when they are ripe. Maybe this is his gateway, right? Because you gave us strong minutes. I am happy for him, because he is connected, connected, and his background. It’s a big goal for us, because the game was going both ways. They were energetic. He’s an easy guy to pull,” said Tortorella.
Coghlan played his first Stanley Cup Playoff game in the final round against the Ducks. Her mother Melanie was able to fly to the game and a shocked Coghlan looked up to see her during the warm-up and noticed tears running down her cheeks.
On Wednesday night, with the Hockey Night in Canada towel wrapped around his shoulders, he recounted the moment and thanked his family.
“Yes, I mean, not only my mother, but my father and my brother at home as well. The journey to get here, many people I have to thank. But those three are my rock back home. And yes, it’s great not only to do this for me, but for them. Yes, a dream come true,” he said. “It’s great. I’m so happy. I’ve said it a few times, but this is the best I’ve ever felt in my career. I think being patient and trying not to get down on myself, that doubt can set in and wonder if you’re going to play in the playoffs again or a roster spot in the NHL. I’m not going to take that lightly and that’s not something I’ve learned, those couples are not one thing I’ve learned over the years. Just a second, and I can’t take this lightly.”
Coghlan was called up for the first time this season at the start of January and played one game then before returning to Henderson. Below is what he had to say at the time in an episode of www.nhl.com/goldenknights/ which makes perfect sense given his current run with the Golden Knights.
As of January 13th:
The talented Coghlan
Every NHL player has his own story. From draft to undrafted to all-star to journeyman. Some take place under the bright lights while others endure for a long time in less popular areas.
Dylan Coghlan is 27 years old and has played in parts of eight professional seasons. Recalled briefly from Henderson last week to start the place, Coghlan was steady and reliable. It was his first NHL game of the season and his eighth major league game in the past three seasons.
Once a prospect for the Vegas Golden Knights, Coghlan has been on the hockey scene since leaving the Golden Knights in the summer of 2022. Raleigh (Carolina Hurricanes), Springfield (Springfield Thunderbirds), Chicago (Chicago Wolves), Winnipeg (Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose) and Henderson (Henderson home over Silson) were all last season called Knights the Silson.
But Vegas was where Coghlan wanted to be again.
“It’s good to come back with the gold, and it’s good to be around these guys. A lot of memories with these guys, and it makes it easier to get out there, know all the players, and know how everybody plays. It felt great to be back,” said Coghlan, who logged 15 minutes and 58 seconds in VGK’s win before being sent back to the AHL. “The thing I’ve tried to fix is my confidence, and the last three years haven’t been easy, but I’m back here and I couldn’t be happier to be here and be around these guys and just try to play my game. I know how to play and help teams win.”
Coghlan is a good skater with a bombshell shot. As best he can, he moves the puck up the ice quickly and looks for holes to get into and get on the offensive side of the puck.
This season in Henderson, he was dominant on both ends of the ice scoring five goals and 16 points in 29 games.
“I think the last month or so has probably been the best hockey I’ve ever played and that’s not just offensively but defensively,” Coghlan said. “I’m calm and I know exactly what’s going on. It’s a good idea when your AHL team is in the same city as your family and the guys have kids, that’s great. I’m thankful for everything the guys over there have done for me and I try to let me have a long rope that always helps with confidence. If I make a mistake I go back or I don’t do something very good and I try. That’s when things go wrong, so I have to keep my head down, put my head down, and keep working.”
Coghlan said the call to return to the NHL with Vegas was the biggest moment in his hockey life.
“When Ryan Craig pulled me aside yesterday, I went back to my room and I was devastated,” said Coghlan. “It was great to know that I’m going to be playing for the Golden Knights again. It’s great. I loved my time here a few years ago, and I love my time here now, so whatever I can do to help the team win, I’ll do it.”
