Release from 13.11.2025

Dan Lacroix appointed new Head Coach of the Graz99ers

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Canadian Dan Lacroix has been named the new Head Coach of the Moser Medical Graz99ers. The 56-year-old previously served as an Assistant Coach with the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Montréal Canadiens. In 2019, he also guided the Kölner Haie to the semifinals of the German DEL. Lacroix has signed a contract with the 99ers until the end of the season and is expected to arrive in Graz next Tuesday.

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When the Graz99ers received the suggestion to take a closer look at Dan Lacroix while sorting through dozens of potential candidates, they initially didn’t even know “whether he was interested in taking on another coaching job at all,” said Sports Director and Interim Head Coach Philipp Pinter. After taking a year off from coaching, Lacroix was a sought-after name in several circles but wanted to wait for the right moment and the most exciting challenge. “Both professionally and personally, he’s world-class,” Pinter said of the new Graz Head Coach. “Whether you ask players, coaches, or managers—be it from the NHL or from Europe—you only ever hear the very best about him.”

Lacroix’s coaching résumé speaks for itself: twelve years as an Assistant Coach in the NHL, all with top organizations, including Tampa Bay, the New York Islanders, and two of the Original Six franchises—the Montréal Canadiens and New York Rangers. Along the way, he worked alongside legendary coaches such as John Cooper (Tampa Bay) and Claude Julien (Montréal).

Lacroix’s first European stop came in the DEL with the Kölner Haie, where he took over from Peter Draisaitl in January 2019 and led the team to the semifinals. From the start, he was only appointed as an interim coach, as former Villach Head Coach Mike Stewart had already been confirmed for the following season. He later helped rebuild the Lithuanian national team before returning to the Moncton Wildcats in the highly regarded Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
In Graz, Dan Lacroix—who has signed a contract through the end of the current season—is expected to arrive next Tuesday. He will meet his new team for the first time during Wednesday morning’s practice. His debut behind the bench will depend on administrative and visa formalities.

Dan Lacroix, Head Coach Graz99ers: “It’s an honor and a privilege to become the new Head Coach and to be part of the 99ers family. I’m very much looking forward to meeting the players, the coaching staff, everyone behind the organization, and of course the fans, as we work together toward achieving our goals.”

Copyright: Daniel Schäfer | Das Sportfoto