Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Peter DeBoer

Discover the career path of Peter DeBoer, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

George Peter DeBoer is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He most recently coached the Dallas Stars in the NHL. While drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1988, he never played in the NHL, spending his playing career with the Milwaukee Admirals of the IHL.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1982: First Memorial Cup since 1982

In 2003 Peter DeBoer led the Rangers to their first Memorial Cup victory since 1982.

1988: Drafted by Toronto Maple Leafs

In 1988, Peter DeBoer was selected in the 12th round, 237th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL entry draft.

1994: Assistant Coach for Detroit Junior Red Wings

During the 1994-95 season, Peter DeBoer became an assistant coach for the Detroit Junior Red Wings.

1995: Coaching Debut with Detroit Whalers

In 1995, Peter DeBoer began his junior hockey head coaching career with the Detroit Whalers.

1995: Promotion to Head Coach and General Manager

In 1995, Peter DeBoer was promoted to the dual position of head coach-general manager for the Detroit Whalers.

1997: Detroit Whalers renamed to Plymouth Whalers

During the 1997 off-season, Peter DeBoer's Detroit Whalers renamed themselves the Plymouth Whalers, and the team rebounded to a second-place finish in the West Division.

1997: Continued Coaching Career

In 1997, Peter DeBoer continued as a junior hockey head coach with the Plymouth Whalers.

1998: OHL-leading 106 points

In 1998-99, Peter DeBoer led the Plymouth Whalers to an OHL-leading 106 points, earning them the Hamilton Spectator Trophy, and DeBoer winning the Matt Leyden Trophy as OHL Coach of the Year.

1999: Best record in the league

In 1999–2000, Plymouth once again had the best record in the league, earning Peter DeBoer his second straight Matt Leyden Trophy.

2000: Winning the West Division for the third consecutive season

In 2000–01, Peter DeBoer's Plymouth Whalers won the West Division for the third consecutive season and having the second best record in the League.

2001: Head Coach for Kitchener Rangers

In 2001, Peter DeBoer became the head coach for the Kitchener Rangers.

2002: Hamilton Spectator Trophy

In the 2002–03 season, Peter DeBoer's Kitchener Rangers won the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as Kitchener had a League-best 100 points.

2003: Memorial Cup Victory

In 2003, Peter DeBoer led the Kitchener Rangers to a Memorial Cup victory.

2003: New Jersey Devils reach the Stanley Cup Final

In Peter DeBoer's first season with the New Jersey Devils, the team reached the Stanley Cup Final, for the first time since 2003.

2004: First round victory over the Erie Otters

In the 2004-05 season, Peter DeBoer led the Kitchener Rangers to a first round victory over the Erie Otters, then helped Kitchener to a stunning series sweep over the powerful Owen Sound Attack.

2006: Third in the League

In 2006–07, Peter DeBoer's Kitchener Rangers increased their point total to 98, finishing third in the Western Conference and easily sweeping the Sarnia Sting in the first round.

June 13, 2008: Hired as Head Coach

On June 13, 2008, Peter DeBoer was hired as the head coach for the Florida Panthers.

2008: Head Coach of the Florida Panthers

In 2008, Peter DeBoer became the head coach of the Florida Panthers of the NHL.

2008: Kitchener named host of the 2008 Memorial Cup

In 2008, with the Rangers being named the host of the 2008 Memorial Cup, Peter DeBoer led Kitchener to one of the best regular season's in OHL history, finishing with a 53–11–4 record, earning a League-high 110 points to win the Hamilton Spectator Trophy and sweeping Plymouth Whalers and Sarnia Sting in the first two rounds.

July 19, 2011: Hired as head coach

On July 19, 2011, Peter DeBoer was hired as the head coach of the New Jersey Devils.

2011: Head Coach of the New Jersey Devils

In 2011, Peter DeBoer became the head coach of the New Jersey Devils.

December 26, 2014: Fired as Head Coach

On December 26, 2014, Peter DeBoer was fired as the head coach of the New Jersey Devils after leading the team to a subpar 12–17–7 record.

2014: End of Tenure with the New Jersey Devils

In 2014, Peter DeBoer's tenure as the head coach of the New Jersey Devils concluded.

May 28, 2015: Hired as Head Coach of the San Jose Sharks

On May 28, 2015, Peter DeBoer was hired as the head coach of the San Jose Sharks.

2015: Head Coach of the San Jose Sharks

In 2015, Peter DeBoer became the head coach of the San Jose Sharks.

December 11, 2019: Termination by San Jose Sharks

On December 11, 2019, Peter DeBoer was fired by the San Jose Sharks after a 15–16–2 start to the season.

2019: Departure from San Jose Sharks

In 2019, Peter DeBoer's time as the head coach of the San Jose Sharks came to an end.

January 15, 2020: Hired as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights

On January 15, 2020, Peter DeBoer was hired as the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.

2020: Head Coach of the Vegas Golden Knights

In 2020, Peter DeBoer was appointed as the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.

2020: COVID-shortened 2020-21 season

In the COVID-shortened 2020–21 season, Peter DeBoer led the Vegas Golden Knights to a 40–14–2 record, tied for the most points in the league with the Colorado Avalanche.

May 16, 2022: Relieved of Duties as Head Coach

On May 16, 2022, Peter DeBoer was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.

June 21, 2022: Hired as Head Coach of the Dallas Stars

On June 21, 2022, Peter DeBoer was hired as the head coach of the Dallas Stars.

2022: End of Tenure with Vegas Golden Knights

In 2022, Peter DeBoer concluded his tenure as the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.

June 6, 2025: Fired by the Dallas Stars

On June 6, 2025, Peter DeBoer was fired by the Dallas Stars after their third consecutive loss in the conference finals. Jim Nill revealed that DeBoer's comments about goaltender Jake Oettinger following a game 5 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on May 29 was one of the reasons that led to his firing.