Career Timeline of Paul Maurice: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Paul Maurice built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Paul Maurice is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach currently leading the Florida Panthers in the NHL. He previously achieved the distinction of being the youngest NHL coach to reach 1,000 games at the age of 43. Notably, he also holds the record for the most losses incurred by an NHL coach.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1979: Gary Green Became Head Coach

In 1979, Gary Green became the head coach of the Washington Capitals at age 26.

1985: Increased Playing Time with Spitfires

In 1985, Paul Maurice saw increased playing time with the Spitfires, playing in 56 games, scoring three goals and 13 points, and helping the club reach the postseason.

1985: Drafted by Philadelphia Flyers

In 1985, Paul Maurice was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 12th round, 252nd overall, in the NHL entry draft.

1986: Continued Improvement as Player with Windsor

In 1986, Paul Maurice continued to improve as a player with Windsor, appearing in 63 games, scoring four goals and 19 points.

1987: Began Coaching Career

In 1987, Paul Maurice began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Windsor Spitfires.

1987: Retired From Playing and Focused on Coaching

In 1987, Paul Maurice began the season playing with the Spitfires, but due to an eye injury and the team needing to free up a spot for a goaltender, Maurice retired from playing and chose to become an assistant coach with the team.

1987: First Division Title

In 1987, the Hurricanes had their first division title

1988: Worked as Assistant Coach

In 1988, Maurice started working as an assistant coach with the Spitfires.

1988: First Full Season with Spitfires

In 1988, Paul Maurice spent his first full season with the Windsor Spitfires as an assistant coach. The rebuilding club struggled but reached the playoffs.

1988: Finished Season with Best Record in League

In 1988, the Windsor Spitfires, where Paul Maurice was an assistant coach, finished the season with the best record in the league, going 50-14-2. They later won the J. Ross Robertson Cup and earned a berth in the Memorial Cup, ultimately losing in the final game.

1989: Worked as Assistant Coach

In 1989, Maurice continued working as an assistant coach with the Spitfires.

1989: Spitfires Struggle with New Head Coach

In 1989, with a new head coach, the Windsor Spitfires struggled to a 17-41-8 record and failed to make the playoffs, while Paul Maurice continued as an assistant coach.

1990: Expansion Season Struggles

During their expansion season in 1990, the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors struggled to a record of 11-50-5, failing to reach the playoffs, with Paul Maurice as an assistant coach.

1990: First Season with Winning Record

In 1990, the Hurricanes had their first season with a winning record

1990: Joined Detroit Compuware Ambassadors

In the summer of 1990, Paul Maurice left his job as an assistant coach with the Spitfires and joined the expansion team, the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors, as an assistant coach.

1991: Continued Struggles with Ambassadors

In 1991, the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors continued to struggle, though they made the postseason for the first time in team history with Paul Maurice as assistant coach.

1992: Team Renamed Detroit Jr. Red Wings

In 1992, the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors were renamed the Detroit Jr. Red Wings. Maurice remained an assistant coach.

1992: Playoff Appearance

In 1992, the Hurricanes made their first playoff appearance.

1993: Promoted to Head Coach of Jr. Red Wings

In 1993, Paul Maurice was promoted to head coach of the Detroit Jr. Red Wings after Tom Webster was relieved of his duties. He led the team to the best record in the Emms Division.

1994: Jr. Red Wings Improved Record

In 1994, the Detroit Jr. Red Wings improved their record once again, earning 92 points and first place in the west division, winning the Bumbacco Trophy, with Paul Maurice as head coach.

November 7, 1995: First Game as Head Coach

On November 7, 1995, Paul Maurice coached his first game as head coach, with the Hartford Whalers defeating the San Jose Sharks 7-3.

1995: Won J. Ross Robertson Cup

In 1995, Paul Maurice coached the Detroit Jr. Red Wings to win the J. Ross Robertson Cup and earn a berth in the Memorial Cup.

1996: Whalers Failed to Qualify for Playoffs

In 1996, the Hartford Whalers, coached by Paul Maurice, failed to qualify for the playoffs, going 29-33-8.

1997: Whalers Moved to Carolina

In 1997, the Hartford Whalers franchise moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, and were renamed the Carolina Hurricanes, with Paul Maurice remaining as head coach.

1998: Hurricanes Struggled in First Season After Relocation

In 1998, the Carolina Hurricanes struggled in their first season after the relocation, finishing in last place in the Northeast Division and missing the playoffs, with Paul Maurice as head coach.

1999: Hurricanes Point Total Decreased

In 1999, the Carolina Hurricanes saw their point total decrease to 84, failing to clinch a playoff berth under coach Paul Maurice.

1999: Hurricanes Made Playoffs

In 1999, the Carolina Hurricanes, coached by Paul Maurice, made the playoffs for the first time since 1992.

2000: Hurricanes Failed to Clinch Playoff Berth

In 2000, the Carolina Hurricanes failed to clinch a playoff berth.

2001: Hurricanes Won Second Division Title

In 2001, the Carolina Hurricanes, coached by Paul Maurice, won their second division title since moving from Hartford, entering as the third seed in the East in the playoffs.

2002: Hurricanes Struggled

In 2002, the Carolina Hurricanes struggled.

December 15, 2003: Fired by the Hurricanes

On December 15, 2003, the Carolina Hurricanes fired Paul Maurice, replacing him with Peter Laviolette.

June 24, 2005: Hired by Toronto Maple Leafs

On June 24, 2005, Paul Maurice was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs to become the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.

2005: Maple Leafs Failed to Reach Playoffs

In 2005, the Maple Leafs failed to reach playoffs

2006: Head Coach of Maple Leafs

In 2006, Paul Maurice became the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2007: Maple Leafs Finished in Ninth Place

In 2007, Paul Maurice led the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 40-31-11 record, but the team finished in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, missing out on a playoff position by a single point.

May 7, 2008: Fired from Maple Leafs

On May 7, 2008, Paul Maurice was fired from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

December 3, 2008: Re-hired by the Hurricanes

On December 3, 2008, Paul Maurice was re-hired by the Carolina Hurricanes after the firing of Peter Laviolette.

November 28, 2010: Coached 1,000 NHL Games

On November 28, 2010, at age 43, Paul Maurice became the youngest coach in NHL history to coach 1,000 games.

November 28, 2011: Fired by the Carolina Hurricanes

On November 28, 2011, the Carolina Hurricanes announced that Paul Maurice had been fired for a second time.

June 8, 2012: Hired as head coach of Metallurg Magnitogorsk

On June 8, 2012, Paul Maurice was hired as the head coach of Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for the 2012-13 season.

January 12, 2014: Hired as Winnipeg Jets Head Coach

On January 12, 2014, Paul Maurice was hired as the head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, replacing Claude Noël.

January 2014: Joined the Winnipeg Jets

In January 2014, Paul Maurice joined the Winnipeg Jets after a brief stint coaching Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

April 16, 2014: Signed Four-Year Extension with Jets

On April 16, 2014, Paul Maurice signed a four-year contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets.

2014: Jets First Playoff Appearance

In 2014, Paul Maurice led the Winnipeg Jets to their first playoff appearance since the team relocated from Atlanta, finishing with a franchise-best 43-26-13 record.

2016: Assistant Coach for Team Europe

In 2016, Paul Maurice served as an assistant coach for Team Europe in the World Cup of Hockey under head coach Ralph Krueger.

October 20, 2017: Maurice wins 600th NHL game

On October 20, 2017, Paul Maurice achieved his 600th win as an NHL head coach, becoming the 17th coach to reach this milestone.

2017: Jets reach Western Conference Finals

In 2017, Paul Maurice led the Winnipeg Jets to the Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the Vegas Golden Knights.

February 12, 2020: Signed Multi-Year Contract Extension with Jets

On February 12, 2020, Paul Maurice signed a multi-year contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets.

December 2021: Resigned from the Jets

In December 2021, Paul Maurice resigned from the Winnipeg Jets.

December 17, 2021: Resigned from Jets

On December 17, 2021, Paul Maurice resigned from his position as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets.

June 2022: Named Head Coach of the Florida Panthers

In June 2022, Paul Maurice was named head coach of the Florida Panthers.

June 22, 2022: Named Head Coach of Florida Panthers

On June 22, 2022, Paul Maurice was named the head coach of the Florida Panthers.

May 24, 2023: Panthers Advance to Stanley Cup Finals

On May 24, 2023, Paul Maurice and the Florida Panthers advanced to the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals after sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes in the conference finals.

December 27, 2023: Maurice Coaches 1,800th NHL Game

On December 27, 2023, Paul Maurice became the third head coach in NHL history to coach in 1,800 regular season games.

January 24, 2024: Maurice Passes Trotz for Second Place in Most Games Coached

On January 24, 2024, Paul Maurice coached his 1,813th NHL game, surpassing Barry Trotz for second place in the most games coached list.

June 24, 2024: Coached the Panthers to Their First Stanley Cup Championship

On June 24, 2024, Paul Maurice coached the Florida Panthers to the team's first Stanley Cup championship, winning the series in seven games against the Edmonton Oilers. He did so in his 26th season as head coach.