The 54-year-old DeBoer becomes the 25th head coach in franchise history and the 10th in Dallas history

June 21, 2022

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today the hiring of Pete DeBoer as the team’s head coach. DeBoer becomes the 25th head coach in franchise history and the 10th in Dallas Stars history.

“Pete brings a wealth of experience to our dressing room, and we’re thrilled to name him our next head coach,” Nill said. “Every team that he has taken over has not only shown immediate improvement but has been ultra-competitive in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has taken five teams to the Conference Finals, and two of those to the Stanley Cup Final, in his 14 years as a head coach. His resume displays the high standards he sets and his ability to get his team to play up to that level consistently. We’re excited to welcome Pete and his family to Dallas.” 

DeBoer, 54, joins the Stars after spending parts of three seasons as the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights. Hired midway through the 2019-20 season, DeBoer posted a 15-5-2 record in 22 regular-season games and guided the Golden Knights to the 2020 Western Conference Final against the Stars. In his time with Vegas, DeBoer earned a 98-50-12 record in 160 regular-season contests with a .650 points percentage. He led Vegas to the postseason in two of his three campaigns with the club, registering a 22-17 record in 39 postseason games and reaching the semifinal round in both the 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Over the last few seasons, I have seen firsthand what the Stars are building with a mix of dynamic young players and established leaders,” DeBoer said. “The chance to become this team’s next head coach was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. I would like to thank Tom Gaglardi and Jim Nill for the chance to help guide this team as we work together to bring another Stanley Cup to Dallas.”

The native of Dunnville, Ontario owns a record of 513-379-123 in 1,015 games coached over 14 NHL seasons with Vegas, San Jose, New Jersey, and Florida. Since entering the League in 2008-09, DeBoer ranks sixth in wins and second in games coached. In postseason play, DeBoer has led three different franchises to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and has reached the Stanley Cup Final on two occasions, first with New Jersey (2012) and then with San Jose (2016). He owns a record of 68-55 in 123 postseason contests and since 2008-09, he ranks fifth in playoff wins and playoff games coached. During the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, DeBoer became the first coach in League history to win his first five Game 7 appearances and has a record of 6-0 in Game 7 games. 

Prior to his time in Vegas, DeBoer served as the head coach for San Jose over five seasons (2015-19) and amassed a 198-129-34 record in 361 regular-season games. He qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in four of his five campaigns with the Sharks and helped lead the team to its first Stanley Cup Final appearance in franchise history during the 2015-16 season. DeBoer spent four seasons (2011-14) as the bench boss for New Jersey, posting a 114-93-41 record in 248 regular-season contests and reached the Stanley Cup Final in his first campaign with the club in 2011-12. Additionally, he served as the head coach for three seasons (2008-11) in Florida and recorded a 103-107-36 mark in 246 regular-season games. 

His extensive head coaching resume includes 13 seasons behind the bench in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), capturing the 2003 Memorial Cup Championship and two OHL championships (2003, 2008) with Kitchener. DeBoer won the OHL Coach of the Year award in 1999 and 2000 with Plymouth and captured the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Coach of Year Award in 2000. He is one of eight coaches in OHL history to reach the 500-win plateau (539) and ranks eighth all-time in OHL wins. 

DeBoer has represented Team Canada on several occasions on the international stage, capturing gold medals for his country at the 2015 IIHF World Championship and the 2005 World Junior Championship. He served on the coaching staff at four IIHF World Championships (2010, 2011, 2014, 2015), two World Junior Championships (1998, 2005) and at the 2007 Canada-Russia Super Series.

Prior to his coaching career, he was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 12th round (237th overall) of the 1988 NHL Draft and played two seasons of professional hockey with the Milwaukee Admirals of the International Hockey League (IHL).

DeBoer and his wife Susan, have one daughter, Abigail, and two sons, Jack and Matthew.

COURTESY DALLAS STARS COMMUNICATIONS