Cup champion Panthers extend coach Paul Maurice

The Florida Panthers have signed coach Paul Maurice to a multi-year contract extension four months after he guided the franchise to its first Stanley Cup victory. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in seven games last June to win the Cup. It was the team's second straight trip to the Finals under Maurice, having lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2023 championship series.

Maurice, 57, has been a coaching fixture in the NHL since 1995. Before hoisting the Stanley Cup in June, he had coached 1,985 games (regular season plus playoffs) without winning a Cup, the most of any coach in history.

"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."

Entering Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Wild, Maurice has a 98-58-15 record in two-plus seasons at the helm in Florida. He is in his 27th season as an NHL head coach and has an 873-738-145 record with 99 ties all-time. His previous stops came with the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes franchise (1995-2004, 2008-12), Toronto Maple Leafs (2006-08) and Winnipeg Jets (2013-22).

--Field Level Media