Shanghai Dragons Appoint Mitch Love as New Head Coach

The Shanghai Dragons have appointed Mitch Love as their new head coach, following the departure of Gerard Gallant. The announcement was made on January 19, 2026, confirming that Love will lead the team through to the end of the 2026-27 season. He takes over at a pivotal moment in the season, with the Dragons still firmly in contention for a playoff spot.

In a statement regarding the decision, Sergey Belykh, CEO of the Shanghai Dragons, emphasized the importance of this coaching change. “We’re still in the playoff race, and with a significant portion of the season ahead, we evaluated multiple scenarios following Gerard Gallant’s departure. After a thorough review of the market, our final choice was Mitch Love,” Belykh said.

Love’s coaching background includes experience in both the NHL and AHL. He previously played across seven teams during his six seasons in the AHL and has served as an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals. However, his tenure with the Capitals ended controversially. On October 26, 2025, the team announced Love was relieved of his duties following the findings of an NHL-led investigation into past allegations. The nature of the investigation remains undisclosed, and Love had been placed on leave starting in September 2025 pending the outcome.

The Shanghai Dragons are a member of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), which features teams based in countries including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China. The team’s recent decision to hire Love reflects a strategic move to enhance their competitive edge as they aim for a successful playoff run.

Love’s immediate challenge will be to galvanize the team and maximize their performance in the remaining games of the season. With the playoff race still open, the Dragons are looking for a swift turnaround under their new leadership.