‘Life is pretty good right now:’ Nanaimo’s Dylan Coghlan back with Golden Knights

“A lot changed over the course of a week. I go from playing in the AHL playoffs in the second round to the divisional final in the NHL,” Coghlan told NanaimoNewsNOW.

He gained the trust of head coach John Tortorella, playing and excelling in 13 playoff games, including suiting up in five of six Stanley Cup Final contests.

“It was just a huge stepping stone for the next couple of years. They put their trust in me to go out and do a job, and now I put my trust in them to go out and do a job. I’m very excited.”

The Carolina Hurricanes, Coghlan’s former team, won hockey’s ultimate prize, thwarting an anticipated summer trip to the Harbour City for the iconic Stanley Cup.

Coghlan is well acquainted with the Vegas organization, having debuted in the league as a 22-year-old during the 2020/21 season when he broke the odds as an undrafted player.

Dylan Coghlan in warmup for the Golden Knights on Dec. 23, 2025. He suited up for three games in the regular season, before playing regularly in the playoffs. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Organizational familiarity was a huge factor in Coghlan remaining in Nevada.

New head coach Ryan Craig was recently promoted from bench boss of the Vegas’ AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, where Coghlan excelled last season.

Enjoying the city, organization and playing in front of an impassioned fan base also made re-signing with the Golden Knights “an easy decision” for Coghlan and his fiancée.

Having only played 10 NHL regular-season games in three seasons with Carolina, Winnipeg and Vegas, Coghlan began to wonder if he’d get to play in the league again.

Conceding he had doubts about his future, Coghlan said his fiancée implored him to persevere.

“It’s easy to fall back to think, ‘I don’t think I’m ever going to get a shot again.’ She was the one that kept me going and kept my spirits up when I was down. I’m super grateful for her,” Coghlan said.

An intelligent, reliable, mobile two-way defender with size and a strong shot, Coghlan said he’s never understood who he is as a player more than he does now.

Coghlan registered a goal and two assists, while averaging 14 minutes and 14 seconds of ice time in a third-pairing role in 13 Golden Knights playoff games.

Reflecting back on the recent playoff push, Coghlan said competing in such high-stakes games was a stark contrast to what he’s used to doing in June.

“Usually I’d be back home watching the Cup final, not really having any thoughts about it with my brother and friends; to then be playing in it was pretty crazy and definitely got emotional at times.”

Coghlan is preparing for his own West Coast summer wedding before ramping back up for hockey in the desert.

“I’m actually on my way to my bachelor party right now. Life is pretty good right now, and it’s going to be a good summer.”

Coghlan has played 115 NHL regular-season games with Vegas, Carolina and Winnipeg, registering six goals and 22 points over six seasons.

He made a name for himself during four productive seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Tri-City Americans, leading to development camp appearances with the Detroit Red Wings and Golden Knights.

Coghlan signed his first NHL contract at 19-years-old, a three-year entry-level deal, with the expansion Golden Knights in September 2017.

Coghlan’s first three NHL goals all came in the same game, a 4-3 setback to the Minnesota Wild in March 2021.

While Coghlan was born in Duncan, he was raised in Port Hardy and Campbell River, with his key pre-junior developmental years taking place while living in Nanaimo.

Nashville Predators forward Matthew Wood is Nanaimo’s other current NHL player.

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by Ian Holmes

‘Life is pretty good right now:’ Nanaimo’s Dylan Coghlan back with Golden Knights

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