### Paul Maurice Secures Multi-Year Contract Extension with Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, Fla. – In a significant move, the Florida Panthers have announced a multi-year contract extension for their head coach, Paul Maurice. The agreement was confirmed by the club's President of Hockey Operations & General Manager, Bill Zito, who praised Maurice's exceptional leadership and strategic acumen over his tenure.

"Paul has resolutely led our organization to unprecedented success during his relatively short tenure in South Florida," noted Zito. "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."

Maurice, who is in his third season with the Panthers, has significantly contributed to the team's success, achieving a 98-58-15 regular season record and securing a notable 29 postseason wins—the highest in the franchise's history. Under his guidance, the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Final in both of his first two seasons and clinched their first championship in 2023-24.

The 57-year-old coach from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, boasts an impressive 7-1 postseason series record with Florida, including two crucial game seven victories that have solidified his reputation, especially his personal perfect record in game sevens, now standing at 5-0.

Maurice's impact extends beyond postseason success. Since the 2022-23 season, the Panthers are leading in various metrics, including shots on goal per game (35.1). They also rank among the top 10 in several other categories such as goals per game (3.37) and goals against per game (2.89). The team achieved remarkable defensive statistics in the 2023-24 season, recording the lowest goals against per game (2.41) and shots against per game (27.8) in the club’s history.

Throughout his career, Maurice has demonstrated a high level of consistency and results. With 1,855 regular season NHL games as a head coach, he ranks second only to Scotty Bowman (2,141) in league history, and his 873 career wins place him fourth all-time among NHL coaches.

The Florida Panthers' dynamic performance under Maurice has not only earned them prestigious titles but also set them up as a formidable team in the NHL. Fans can continue to look forward to more thrilling seasons as Maurice and his coaching staff remain at the helm.