Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet will replace Gerard Gallant as the Pacific Division team coach at the NHL All-Star Game, the league announced Thursday.
Gallant was fired by the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.
The coaches for the All-Star Game were chosen on Jan. 2 based on each division’s point-percentage leader. At the time, the Golden Knights were first in the Pacific Division.
However, Vegas has since slipped to fifth in the division and out of a playoff spot, leading to Gallant’s unexpected firing.
Tocchet’s Coyotes now lead the Pacific Division with a 26-18-5 record.
The All-Star Game will take place on Jan. 25 in St. Louis.