Florida Panthers’ Bench Boss: Head Coach Paul Maurice…
Success in sports often hinges on having the right leader. Paul Maurice, one of the most seasoned coaches in the NHL, has proven to be an ideal match for the Florida Panthers. In his first two seasons with the team, he guided them to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals and secured both his and the franchise’s first championship.
Maurice’s coaching journey began during the 1995-1996 season with the Hartford Whalers, but his hockey career started even earlier with four seasons playing for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League from 1984 to 1988.
Known for his dynamic presence, Maurice is not shy about showing his passion, often using colorful language to motivate his players. Last season, Maurice gained attention for his humorous interactions with the media, especially during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
With his son working in media for the Florida Everblades, Maurice has been approachable and engaging with the press, often delivering memorable quotes.
One standout moment was when he joked about Sam Reinhart’s attitude due to his free-agent status, a quip he made frequently whenever Reinhart’s contract was mentioned.
Paul Maurice’s personality aligns perfectly with the Florida Panthers. The team, known for its mix of lively and hardworking personalities, complements Maurice’s style and leadership. He values strong leadership and believes Sasha Barkov is the ideal captain for the Panthers. Under Maurice’s defense-first approach, the Panthers became one of the most challenging teams to play against, leading the NHL in goals against and tying for first in shutouts last season.
Maurice also saw the potential in Reinhart and Barkov as a powerful forward pair, which took time to materialize but eventually became one of the most formidable in the league. Reinhart enjoyed a career-best season, ranking as the second leading goal scorer and leading in power-play and short-handed goals, with Barkov playing a crucial role in setting up Reinhart’s goals through his exceptional vision and playmaking.
Before his tenure with the Panthers, Maurice had stints with the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes (in two separate periods), Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets. Over his career, Maurice has spent 11 years with Carolina, nine with Winnipeg, and now three with Florida, with additional time at Hartford and Toronto. He made history as the second youngest head coach in NHL history and holds records for the youngest to reach 1,000 and 1,500 games coached.
Maurice is also the second youngest coach to reach 500 wins and is one of three coaches to achieve 300 wins with two different teams. He holds the franchise record for wins with the Jets and is fourth all-time in NHL wins, a ranking he achieved last season. Maurice is set to tie for second in most seasons coached and currently stands second in career games coached. After many years without a Stanley Cup, he finally secured one, much to the delight of his family and fans.
Paul Maurice has seamlessly integrated into the Florida Panthers and the community of Sunrise. The city and its residents have embraced him, as seen with the enthusiastic reception of his custom cat shirt during the Stanley Cup celebration and the positive response to his candid, profanity-laced speech. Maurice, though not a Florida native, has certainly become a beloved figure in the state.
Stay tuned for next week’s feature on the Assistant Coaches.
