The Florida Panthers signed coach Paul Maurice to a multiyear extension, president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito announced Tuesday. The new contract will take effect starting in 2025-26 after his existing deal expires at the end of this season.
Maurice guided the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final in each of his first two seasons behind the bench, leading the club to its first-ever championship last season.
“We are excited for Paul and his staff to continue to keep the Florida Panthers as a destination franchise for the foreseeable future.”
The details ✍️https://t.co/27ayOKLBec
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 22, 2024
The 57-year-old, now in his third season with the Panthers, compiled a 98-58-15 record in the regular season with the team. His 29 postseason wins (29-16) are the most in franchise history.
“Paul has resolutely led our organization to unprecedented success during his relatively short tenure in South Florida,” Zito said in a statement. “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 has served as a head coach for 1,855 regular-season games, second only to Scotty Bowman (2,141), for the most in NHL history. His 873 career wins rank fourth all-time behind Bowman (1,244), Joel Quenneville (969) and Barry Trotz (914).
Required reading
- An apology to Stanley Cup champion coach Paul Maurice and the Panthers
- Paul Maurice’s moment: Panthers coach’s Stanley Cup win, as seen by those who shared his NHL journey
- What are the NHL’s Top 10 front offices? Here’s how 40 executives voted
(Photo: Jim Rassol / USA Today)