Paul Maurice signed a multiyear contract to remain coach of the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
The 57-year-old is 98-59-15 since being named coach of the Panthers on June 22, 2022.
In his two full seasons with the Panthers, Maurice has led them to the Stanley Cup Final in each, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in seven games last year to win their first championship after losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in 2023.
Maurice had coached 1,985 games (1,848 in the regular season and 137 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs) without winning the Cup prior to last season, the most by a coach in NHL history.
“I’m just thankful, and hopeful, I guess, that the ink dried on that thing," Maurice said with a grin after a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
“No, I mean it is an honor and I am very thankful and appreciative to the Viola family not just for their generosity, but for the investment that they have made here over the years. ... This is a really good program. Really good people, and we have had success together, and a lot of people have made that possible, the players, first and foremost."
During 27 seasons with the Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers, Maurice is 873-739-145 with 99 ties. He ranks second in regular-season games coached (1,856), trailing only Scotty Bowman (2,141), is fourth in wins and is 70-67 in the playoffs.
"Paul has resolutely led our organization to unprecedented success during his relatively short tenure in South Florida," Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. "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."
NHL.com independent correspondent George Richards contributed to this report
