Latest news with #Maurice
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Why Paul Maurice says the Florida Panthers are ‘the best team I've ever coached'
Paul Maurice has been around the NHL for quite a bit. His 1,930 regular-season games coached are the second-most in NHL history. His 27 seasons behind the bench are tied for second-most. He has a chance to become the 20th coach in league history to win multiple Stanley Cups as he leads the Florida Panthers back to the Stanley Cup Final this season against the Edmonton Oilers. He has had multiple stops during his career — first the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, then the Toronto Maple Leafs, then back to Carolina and then the Winnipeg Jets before joining the Panthers ahead of the 2022-23 season that began a run of three consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final. But there has been something about coaching this team, at this stage in his career, that had Maurice make a bold statement Saturday. 'I'm really careful and I'm not being disrespectful to the other teams I've coached, but the team here is just the best team I've ever coached,' Maurice said. 'It's not really that close.' Now, Maurice made sure to clarify that he's been 'lucky' that 'every team that I coached, they are a great bunch of guys' and that there is 'a great culture in our sport' overall. So what it is about this Panthers team that's different, that sets it above the rest? Maurice, a man who knows how to turn a phrase, still can't fully put it into words. 'My experience, from the time I started getting off the phone [for introductions after being hired] was 'This team is different and I can't explain it,'' Maurice said. 'Now, I'm three years in, and I'm starting to understand it a little bit. I do not feel responsible for it. I don't. It's been fun to observe. But that's why I don't talk about it because I don't think it's comparative. 'Oh, these guys are just a way better bunch of guys than I had before.' It's not that. These guys are different.' To Maurice, that starts with the veteran leadership in the room — the Aleksander Barkovs, Aaron Ekblads and Matthew Tkachuks — that not only set the standard for the team to follow but were willing to change their own ways to get the team to this point. Remember, Florida won the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top regular-season team in 2021-22 before getting swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs that year. That prompted general manager Bill Zito to make a change, bringing in Maurice to implement a defense-first system to overtake the high-flying offensive attack Florida had that worked in the regular season but fell flat in the postseason. The Panthers struggled out of the gate that first year and needing a strong finish in the regular season to sneak into the playoffs. But Florida has seen the move pay dividends, getting to the Stanley Cup Final in Year 1, winning the Cup in Year 2 and now being in a position to potentially win it again this year. 'It's so rare that you'll have a new coach come in after a Presidents' Trophy,' Maurice said. 'Now, you have coaches come in partway through the season because that team is underachieving their greatness and then they make a coaching change. You see that happen, but you rarely will see this. I got gifted a 122-point team and just shaved 30 points off of it in that first year with my high quality of coaching. So the drivers, the leaders, the core of this team are elite players. We've got a good team here. I'm just trying not to mess it up.' Safe to say that hasn't happened.
Miami Herald
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Florida Panthers injury updates as team returns to practice ahead of Stanley Cup Final
The Florida Panthers returned to the ice for practice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday ahead of their Stanley Cup Final rematch against the Edmonton Oilers, which begins Wednesday at Rogers Place (8 p.m., TNT, truTV, Max). They did so without three regulars in forwards Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and A.J. Greer. Of the three, Panthers coach Paul Maurice said 'the only question mark is Greer' entering the Final. 'We'll list him as day to day,' Maurice said. Greer did not finish two of Florida's final three games of the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes due to undisclosed injuries. He missed the final 4:02 of Game 3 after appearing to tighten something up late in that game, a 6-2 Florida win. He did not play in Game 4 and then exited the Panthers' 5-3 series-clinching win on Wednesday early in the third period, not taking the ice for the final 18:35 of the contest. Through 12 postseason games, Greer has three points (two goals, one assist) in addition to logging 45 hits while averaging just 7:47 of ice time. Luostarinen, who did solo work on a separate sheet of ice Saturday with skills coach Max Ivanov while the team practiced on the main rink, left Game 5 in the first period after missing an attempted hit on the boards. The 26-year-old forward has been one of Florida's surprise stars this postseason, logging 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 17 games while being a critical player on Florida's penalty kill. 'He should be fine,' Maurice said after the game. 'I'm not a doctor. ... We don't think this is serious. We think he'll be right and ready.' Lundell hasn't missed a game this postseason and was on the ice for 14:06 in Game 5. He scored the Panthers' go-ahead goal in Game 5 during the second period and has 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 17 games.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Hundreds of students explore healthcare careers at travelling roadshow
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Students from School District 60 got a slice of what possible careers the field of healthcare could yield at a two-day event in Fort St. John. Grade 10 and 11 students from North Peace Secondary School (NPSS) took part in the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow on May 26th and 27th. Introduced in 2010 by Dr. Sean Maurice of the medical program at Prince George's University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), the event had a dual purpose for both the college and high school students involved. The high school students got to see potential opportunities, while the college-aged undergraduates got a glimpse of the rural community they could be serving when they enter the workforce. Maurice says the event focuses on kids from rural communities who face 'more barriers' in their post-secondary lives. 'In a lot of [rural] places where there are a lot of blue-collar jobs,' says Maurice, '[where] you don't necessarily need to have post-secondary education. '[Then there's] a lot of kids who have parents who aren't familiar with post-secondary. 'If you feel you need to go to Vancouver for university, it's just far away. It feels very different. So we're just trying to help get them over that barrier.' Brian Campbell of School District 60 told approximately 200 students from NPSS took part to see 'what potential careers' they could consider after graduation. Campbell is the district principal of careers and international education. 'The more that we can expose students to potential careers, the better they're going to be able to make informed choices of what they want to do,' said Campbell. 'The healthcare field is so wide, [NPSS students] could talk to students who are studying in [that] field and get to try some things hands on.' Students from UNBC demonstrated the opportunities available in careers such as medicine, nursing, psychiatric nursing, dental hygiene, laboratory technology, midwifery, kinesiology, biomedical engineering and respiratory therapy. 'I think it's really important for students to realize that they can have the opportunity to train in the north and stay in the north,' said Campbell. 'That really helps build strong northern communities.' The roadshow has made regular trips to Fort St. John since its beginnings in 2010. It will also make trips to both Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge during the last week of May, according to a news release. The Healthcare Travelling Roadshow was also funded in part by partnership with the Northern Medical Programs Trust, Rural Education Action Plan, Interior Health, UNBC, and University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine. It has exposed more than 16,500 students to the wonders of the healthcare field, according to the release. More details about the Healthcare Travelling Roadshow can be found on its website .
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL fans stunned as Panthers, Hurricanes coaches ignore handshake after playoff series ends
NHL fans stunned as Panthers, Hurricanes coaches ignore handshake after playoff series ends (Image Source: Getty Images) The Florida Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes. That win ended the Hurricanes' season. Players and coaches basically line up and shake their hands after the final game of a playoff series. This time, the coaches did not. Panthers coach Paul Maurice and Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour stayed behind. They did not go out to join the handshake. Some fans also saw them talking in a tense way after the game ended. Panthers, Hurricanes Coaches may have had a disagreement Usually, when the last game ends, all players and coaches line up. They shake hands to show respect. It is a tradition in hockey. Even if the games are rough, players and coaches still show good sportsmanship. The two head coaches, however, kept away this time. They might have had a little disagreement or argument. Though we are not sure what they spoke to each other, their manner did not appear warm. People watching the game were surprised. This kind of thing does not happen often. Fans and reporters asked why the coaches did not shake hands. Some were upset. Others thought it was fine. Also Read: Coaches to get a 50% salary hike | More sports News - Times of India Fans are supporting Coach Maurice Many fans said Coach Maurice was right. They said the handshake is for the players only. The players do all the hard work. They play the game, block shots, and fight for the win. Some people said it's okay for coaches to skip the handshake. But other fans said no. They said coaches should lead by example. Even when it is hard, they should show good behavior. They said the handshake is about respect, and coaches should show that too. Neither coach gave a full answer after the game. They only talked about the season and their teams. Maurice said he was proud of the Panthers. Brind'Amour said his team played hard all year. Now the Panthers are going to the Stanley Cup Final. They lost in the final last year but now have another chance. The Hurricanes are out. Their season is over. The handshake moment is still being talked about. Some say it was rude. Some say it's no big deal. But everyone agrees playoff games are full of emotion. Sometimes, things don't go the usual way.
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Why Panthers coach Paul Maurice skipped the handshake line with the Carolina Hurricanes
Published May 29, 2025 • Last updated 13 minutes ago • 2 minute read Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper and Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice shake hands after Game 5 of the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. Photo by Mike Carlson / Getty Images Florida Panthers Coach Paul Maurice and Carolina Hurricanes Coach Rod Brind'Amour appeared to have words with each other after the Panthers ended the Hurricanes' season with a 5-3 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, and neither coaching staff took part in the handshake line that traditionally caps the final game of a Stanley Cup playoff series. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But after the game, Maurice said there wasn't any ill-will after a typically hard-hitting playoff series. Instead, he seems to be on a crusade to get coaches out of the centre-ice handshake line that has been a staple of the NHL postseason for decades. That's what his conversation with Brind'Amour was about, he said. 'I don't believe that the coaches should shake players' hands at the end,' Maurice said. 'There's this long list of people in suits and track suits. We had like 400 people on the ice. They're all really important to our group. But not one of them was in the game.' 'There's something for me visually, with the camera on just the men who played, blocked shots, fought for each other, it's end of one's season, it's excitement for the other,' Maurice said. 'The last thing that a player on the Carolina Hurricanes deserves is 50 more guys in suits, they have no idea who they are and that's not a negative. There's something really kind of beautiful about just the camera on those men who played shaking hands. And we should respect that.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This isn't anything new from Maurice, who also did not participate in the postgame center-ice handshake line after the Panthers' second-round win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. 'We talked to (Maple Leafs coach) Craig Berube on the ice in Toronto, and figured if I can sell it in Toronto,' Maurice said. 'And he understood it, because he's played, and (Brind'Amour's) played, so they both kind of get it.' Coaches' participation in the postgame handshake line seems to have been on Maurice's mind for a while now. 'I don't know where it changed. When I first got in the league, you would never go shake the players' hand. Some coach wanted to get on camera, is the only thing I can figure out. Maybe he wanted to shake Wayne Gretzky's hand or something. I don't know when it changed, but I don't think it's right,' he said. 'I think there's a really nice, kind of beautiful part of our game when just the players shake hands at the end. … When you think of all the great competitions on the ice … and yet they shake hands like that, that's special. … I appreciate the risk that [Brind'Amour] took because he's concerned that somebody here [in the postgame news conference] is going to be upset that he didn't shake our players' hands. I asked him not to, and he understood. So that's what happened.' Toronto & GTA Columnists Toronto & GTA Ontario Sunshine Girls
