Alain Vigneault has been coaching since he was 25-years-old, a year after his playing career ended with the St. Louis Blues. A career minor leaguer, AV spent 41 games across two seasons with the Blues as a stay at home defenceman.
Immediately following his playing career, AV caught a big break to become a head coach in the QMJHL, the same Major Junior league Sidney Crosby came from. After some successful seasons there, he was able to latch on as an assistant for the then expansion team, the Ottawa Senators.
Older Sens fans will remember those days as some dark times and after three seasons; the entire assistant coaching staff was let go.