Joy, profanity, cats: Paul Maurice gives epic Stanley Cup parade speech
Maurice dropped several f-bombs while wearing a shirt featuring the faces of his two pet cats
Florida Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice has been a gem on several levels since arriving on the scene in Sunrise prior to last season.
The charismatic veteran bench boss has provided some excellent sound bites during his tenure in South Florida, while sometimes allowing some profanity to sink in.
Hey, it’s just part of Mo’s nature.
Another part of his nature was cutting loose and celebrating his first Stanley Cup Championship with his team, the fans and his family.
“30 f---ing years!” Maurice shouted into the microphone at Sunday’s Stanley Cup parade rally on Fort Lauderdale Beach. “For every f---ing one of you, 30 years.”
He then pointed to his wife Michelle.
“And for that woman over there, 30 years of being married to an asshole,” Maurice said. “In my wildest dreams, I never would’ve thought I could see this. Seriously. Understand this. Everybody that we love in this world is f---ing happy right now.”
That includes Maurice’s two pet cats, who he perhaps inadvertently cast into fame earlier this season when he explained that the seating arrangements on his sofa are dictated by where the cats are sitting.
He wouldn’t divulge their names back then, as the felines were perhaps not quite ready for the spotlight, but winning the Stanley Cup seems to have changed his mind.
Maurice was even wearing a customized shirt on Sunday with the heads of his two cats on top of Panthers logos.
“My two cats!” Maurice said, showing the crowd his shirt. “This is Poppy, this is Penny. Those are my two cats. My daughter made this shirt, and I promised her if we win the Stanley Cup, I’m wearing that shirt.”
It doesn’t get much more Maurice than that.
The joyful coach wrapped up his appearance with a pair of messages.
One to the crowd, and one to his players.
“I want to thank all of you,” Maurice said to the fans. “For these men here, for welcoming our families to Florida.”
Then, with rain falling and fans cheering, Maurice began for his final comments.
“I’ve got one more word for you,” he said. “Actually, this isn’t for you. (turns around to face the team) This is for you f---ers.”
Maurice then raised both arms above his head and yelled that final word into the microphone.
“Freedom!”
A fitting end to an extremely enjoyable season for Maurice and his team.
Have fun fishing this summer, coach!
LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA
