Two Former Bulldogs Go Toe-to-Toe in NHL's Eastern Conference Finals

Big Rapids, Mich. - Two former Ferris State University Bulldogs remain in the National Hockey League's (NHL) Stanley Cup Playoffs as assistant coaches Derek Lalonde (Tampa Bay Lightning) and John Gruden (New York Islanders) continue to coach their way through the postseason gauntlet.

Now, the two teams will meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Lightning qualified for the Eastern Conference Final after disposing of the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. 

The Islanders ousted the NHL's regular season best Boston Bruins 4-2 in the best of seven conference semifinals to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Prior to his time in Tampa Bay, Lalonde helped the Iowa Wild (AHL) grow into a strong Western Conference program while coaching former Bulldog Gerald Mayhew. Under his leadership, the Wild posted team records for wins, home wins, road wins, fewest losses and total points in a season. He came to Iowa following a 97-35-12 stint with the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL as the bench boss.

Gruden has had success at every level. After leading the Ontario Hockey League's (OHL) Hamilton Bulldogs to an OHL Playoff Championship in 2017-18, the Islanders picked up Gruden on July 18, 2018 when then defending Stanley Cup Champion Head Coach Barry Trotz tabbed Gruden to join the staff. 

While at Ferris State, Gruden was a First Team All-American, CCHA best defenseman and CCHA first team all-star in the 1990's.

With the Bulldogs, Lalonde helped FSU to the most single-season wins in program history (31) with the 2002-03 Bulldogs during Chris Kunitz's senior year. He also helped the University of Denver to a pair of National Championships.

Game one is set for Sunday, June 13, at 3 p.m. (ET) at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., with coverage provided by NBC.