It’s been a long time coming, but Paul Maurice has finally won the Stanley Cup. It took him 1,985 games, 939 wins, and a semi-retirement, but now, he’s done it.
Before Monday, Maurice held the unfortunate record of most victories of any NHL head coach without ever winning the Stanley Cup.
Paul Maurice is a huge fan-favorite in Florida, known for his hilarious quotes in pressers before and after games.
And after finally accomplishing the ultimate goal in hockey, he didn’t disappoint. Shortly after the Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers in a thrilling Game 7, he spoke with Sportsnet’s Kyle Bukauskas.
And he stunned fans when he revealed he now only has one more wish after finally winning the Cup.
”If I could have one more thing, it’s for the Winning Jets to win the Stanley Cup,” Maurice said post-game.
Maurice coached the Jets from 2013 to 2022 and holds the franchise record for games coached and won. But Maurice didn’t just say heartwarming things about his former team.
He also spoke about his family, and especially his dad.
”It’s for my mom and dad, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, for my brothers Mike and Shane in Sault Ste. Marie and Waterloo,” Maurice said. ”All of the people that suffered through 30 years of me losing and making excuses, Mom and Dad especially.
”Hey Dad, your name is going up with your heroes. (Jean) Beliveau, (Maurice) Richard, (Gordie) Howe, (Ted) Lindsay, Maurice.”
On social media, fans absolutely loved every second of Maurice’s honest and heartwarming interview, with some even calling it the best one they’ve ever seen.
”One of the greatest interviews I’ve seen. The thing about his dads name going up with his heroes and mentioning the Jets. What a class f—king act,” one user said.
”Such an amazing shout-out to the legends his dad loved, with his name going up there too. Looking right into the camera too. Just awesome,” another responded.
”That part was pretty damn awesome and wholesome, good for him,” a third added.
Fans especially loved the part when mentioning his dad’s heroes.
”That’s a GOATed quote for sure,” one said.
”This will be an all-time quote. It’s just such a good one,” another said.
”Made me cry when he started talking to his dad. That was so great. Always liked him,” a third added.
