John Tortorella will not return as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights following the team’s loss in the Stanley Cup Final, the organization announced Tuesday. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon confirmed that Tortorella, who was hired on an interim basis late in the season, had fulfilled the terms of his agreement and will part ways with the team.

Tortorella was brought in on March 30 after the firing of Bruce Cassidy, with only eight games remaining in the regular season. Under his leadership, the Golden Knights won seven of those final games and advanced through three playoff rounds before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in six games in the finals, which concluded Sunday night. McCrimmon expressed gratitude for Tortorella’s contributions, noting the coach’s experience and leadership provided the immediate impact the team sought during a pivotal point in the season.

“We thank Torts for the guidance he provided our team since joining the organization in March,” McCrimmon said. “Torts’ experience and leadership proved to be the boost that we were looking for, helping guide us to the Stanley Cup Final. We are grateful for Torts’ passion, sincerity, and commitment to our organization, and we wish him and his family the best.”

The decision that Tortorella would not return had been anticipated. The coach himself indicated during the finals that his tenure was temporary, stating he and McCrimmon had agreed from the start that his time in Vegas would conclude at the end of the season. At 68 years old, Tortorella is a veteran NHL coach with a long resume that includes guiding the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup championship in 2004. His coaching career also includes stints with the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Philadelphia Flyers. Prior to joining Vegas, he had been out of the league for about a year.

Players on the Golden Knights spoke positively about their short but impactful time with Tortorella. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson described him as “a perfect fit at a perfect time,” while Shea Theodore credited Tortorella with providing the necessary push for the team’s playoff run.

The finals were not without controversy, as Tortorella faced criticism for sticking with goaltender Carter Hart, whose .863 save percentage in the series was the lowest for a goaltender in the Stanley Cup Final since 1991. This decision drew scrutiny amid the team’s loss.

At the time of the announcement, the Golden Knights did not name a successor, though reports have linked the team’s AHL head coach Ryan Craig, a former assistant with Vegas, as a potential candidate to take over the helm.