Derek Lalonde

Derek Lalonde (born August 18, 1972) is an American professional ice hockey coach who is an associate coach for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career Lalonde played collegiately for Cortland State as a goaltender from 1991 to 1994. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education, and later earned a Master of Arts in education administration from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Coaching career Lalonde's coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts from 1995 to 1997. In 1998, he began a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Lebanon Valley College, followed by two seasons as an assistant at Hamilton College.

On June 30, 2022, he was named the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. On March 28, 2023, Lalonde was ejected for the first time in his NHL career in a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. This was the first NHL coach ejection since San Jose Sharks coach David Quinn on March 8, 2023, and the first for a Red Wings coach since Jeff Blashill on February 4, 2018. Following a 13–17–4 start to the 2024–25 season, Lalonde was fired by the Red Wings on December 26, 2024, and replaced by Todd McLellan.

On June 6, 2025, Lalonde was hired as an assistant coach by the Toronto Maple Leafs. After a lone season with the organization, he was subsequently fired in July 2026. Thereafter, Lalonde joined the Montreal Canadiens as an associate coach beginning in the 2026–27 season.

Head coaching record

Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L OTL Pts Finish W L Win % Result DET 2022–23 82 35 37 10 80 7th in Atlantic — — — Missed playoffs DET 2023–24 82 41 32 9 91 5th in Atlantic — — — Missed playoffs DET 2024–25 34 13 17 4 (30) (fired) — — — —Total 198 89 86 23 — — —

Awards and championships USHL USHL Coach of the Year: 2012 Clark Cup champion: 2012 ECHL John Brophy Award (ECHL Coach of the Year): 2015 NHL Stanley Cup champion (as assistant coach): 2020, 2021