Oct 23, V7N- The Florida Panthers have signed head coach Paul Maurice to a multi-year contract extension, just four months after he led the team to its first-ever Stanley Cup victory. While the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, Maurice's extension reflects the Panthers' confidence in his leadership following their historic championship win over the Edmonton Oilers in a thrilling seven-game series last June.

Maurice, 57, has been a mainstay in the NHL coaching ranks since 1995. Before his Stanley Cup win with the Panthers, he had the distinction of coaching the most games (1,985 regular season and playoff games combined) without winning the Cup, making his victory all the more significant. His success with Florida also includes back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals, with the team finishing as runners-up to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.

Panthers general manager Bill Zito praised Maurice, stating, "Paul has resolutely led our organization to unprecedented success during his relatively short tenure in South Florida. He is a superb communicator and leader for our staff and players, possessing a keen strategic mind for the game."

In his two-plus seasons as head coach of the Panthers, Maurice has posted a 98-58-15 record. With his 27th season as an NHL head coach underway, Maurice's career record stands at 873-738-145 with 99 ties. His previous coaching tenures include stints with the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets. Maurice's leadership has cemented the Florida Panthers as a formidable franchise and one with long-term aspirations of sustained success.

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