
On Tuesday evening, the Florida Panthers announced the signing of head coach Paul Maurice to a multi-year extension.
The news comes off the Panthers' back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup and the 2023-24 Stanley Cup title.
“Paul has resolutely led our organization to unprecedented success during his relatively short tenure in South Florida,” said Panthers' general manager Bill Zito.
“He is a superb communicator and leader for our staff and players, possessing a keen strategic mind for the game. We are excited for Paul and his staff to continue to keep the Florida Panthers as a destination franchise for the foreseeable future.”
Maurice ranks second in games coached behind just Scotty Bowman and sits fourth in career wins.
“I’m interested in coaching the Florida Panthers for as long as they’ll have me,” Maurice said. “It’s great coming to the rink.”
With the Panthers, Maurice has won 98 games in just two seasons. That places him third in team history. He has 29 postseason wins as well.
“There was really no negotiation,” he added. “They made me a really nice offer and we shook hands and I said, ‘Thank you.’ And that was it.”
Prior to joining the Panthers, Maurice took a year off following his decision to walk away from Winnipeg, to which he had spent nine seasons.
With the Jets, Maurice made the postseason five times, once progressing all the way to the third round.
Following his Stanley Cup victory last season, Maurice emphatically announced his hope for the Jets to be the next team to win hockey's greatest prize.