Paul Maurice was named the head coach of the Florida Panthers on June 22, 2022. A veteran of 25 NHL seasons as a head coach, Maurice joined Florida after having spent nine seasons behind the bench with the Winnipeg Jets (2013-14 to 2021-22). He previously served as the head coach for the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes (1995-96 to 2003-04, 2008-09 to 2011-12) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (2006-07 to 2007-08).
In his inaugural season in South Florida, Maurice steered the franchise to a Prince of Wales Trophy as well as the club’s first win in the Stanley Cup Final, marking Maurice’s second-career Stanley Cup appearance.
Previously, Maurice led the Carolina Hurricanes to the 2002 Stanley Cup Final and 2009 Eastern Conference Final and guided the Winnipeg Jets to the 2018 Western Conference Final.
Maurice, a native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has set numerous milestones throughout his extensive career behind an NHL bench. When he was first hired by the Hartford Whalers to serve as their head coach during the 1995-96 season, he became the then second youngest NHL head coach in League history. He owns the Winnipeg Jets franchise record for games coached (600) and wins (315) and was the youngest in League history to reach both 1,000 and 1,500 games as a head coach, and the second-youngest to earn 500 wins. Maurice is also one of three coaches to earn at least 300 wins with two different franchises.
Prior to his NHL head coaching career, Maurice spent two seasons (1993-94 to 1994-95) as head coach of the Detroit Jr. Red Wings of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), culminating in an OHL championship in 1994-95.
Selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 12th round (252nd overall) of the 1985 NHL Draft, Maurice played four seasons with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League from 1984-85 to 1987-88.
Maurice and his wife, Michelle, have three children: Sydney, Jake and Luke.
