Paul Maurice is a Stanley Cup Champion
(Photo by Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press)
After 1,985 games coached in the NHL, Paul Maurice is finally an NHL champion. A veteran of 26 seasons behind the bench, Maurice has paid his dues and finally achieved the dream of capturing Lord Stanley.
After his Florida Panthers allowed Edmonton to claw their way back from 0-3 deficit in the Stanley Cup Final, many doubted that Florida would be able to finish the job, seeing as they failed the previous three games. However, Maurice and his staff had faith, and were able to clinch Game 7 on home ice, defeating the Oilers 2-1.
Maurice has one of the lengthiest NHL resumes to date, coaching with four different teams over the span of 29 years. Drafted as a player by the Philidelphia Flyers in the 12th round of the 1985 NHL Draft, Maurice’s playing career was cut short due to an eye injury suffered in juniors. Instead, he transitioned to coaching with his junior team after four years as a player.
In 1995, Paul Maurice became the second-youngest head coach in NHL history with the Hartford Whalers. As the team relocated to Carolina, he stayed at the helm and lead the team to the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings. He then spent two years with the Toronto Maple Leafs (2006-2008), returned to the Carolina Hurricanes (2008-2011) and then spent one season as a coach with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in Russia.
In 2014, the Winnipeg Jets hired Paul Maurice as their head coach. He would lead the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2017-2018, but would voluntarily resign from his position in 2021, as he believed the team needed a new voice and direction.
Finally, in June 2022, Paul Maurice was named the head coach of the Florida Panthers, a somewhat controversial decision as this meant removing Andrew Brunette, who lead the team to the President’s Trophy in the 2021-22 and was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, given to the best coach in the league. Maurice lead the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2022-23, but triumphing in 2023-24.
Maurice was the youngest coach in NHL history to coach 1,000 at age 43, and 1,500 at age 52. He also holds the record for the most losses by an NHL coach with 713. He holds the Winnipeg Jets record for games coached with 600 and most wins with 315.
All statistics aside, Paul Maurice is known throughout the league as a resilient and positive leader, and respected by many. His personality shown through all season in his media availability, but none characterized him more than his quotes after winning the cup, especially the sentiments expressed about his former team, the Winnipeg Jets.
Maurice has one of the most impressive coaching resumes, and this Stanley Cup will cement his legacy as one of the most successful and well-liked coaches in the league.
