Behind the Bench: Paul Maurice Reaches 2,000 Games
Paul Maurice coaches the Florida Panthers during training camp, September 21, 2024. Photo credit: Arc.
Written By Gina Anton
SUNRISE, Fla. — Behind the bench at Amerant Bank Arena, Paul Maurice added another milestone to one of the most enduring coaching careers in NHL history, becoming just the second head coach ever to reach 2,000 regular-season games.
The Florida Panthers bench boss joined legendary coach Scotty Bowman as the only two to hit the mark, a testament to both longevity and sustained success at hockey’s highest level.
Maurice’s journey to 2,000 games began in 1995, when he was thrust into the spotlight as a 28-year-old head coach with the Hartford Whalers, making him one of the youngest bench bosses in league history.
From that moment on, his career became defined by durability and adaptability. Over nearly three decades and multiple franchises, Maurice steadily climbed the all-time ranks, reaching milestones faster than almost anyone before him, including becoming the youngest coach to reach 500, 1,000, and 1,500 games.
Now in his 28th NHL season, Maurice sits second all-time in games coached and among the winningest coaches in league history, with nearly 1,000 victories.
Since taking over the Panthers in 2022, he has transformed the franchise into a powerhouse. The team has captured back-to-back Stanley Cups and posted a dominant playoff record, establishing itself as one of the NHL’s premier organizations.
Under Maurice, the Panthers have become known for their aggressive, high-pressure style, ranking among the league leaders in shots and physical play during his tenure.
Maurice reached the 2,000-game milestone on March 24, 2026, as the Panthers hosted the Seattle Kraken. The night fittingly ended in a dramatic 5–4 shootout victory for Florida, punctuating the occasion with a win.
The team honored Maurice during the game, and he acknowledged the moment with characteristic humility, emphasizing the people around him rather than his own accomplishment. He also spoke on the congratulatory messages he received.
“We all work in hockey, we get really, really busy so we lose track of each other, and then you start to get texts, and it’s always the ones that you don’t expect that put a smile on your face,” He said “The congratulations text from ex-players and people that I haven’t talked to in a long time. It’s like Christmas, when you run into some people and everybody is in a good mood, and you haven’t seen them for a long time, it’s nice. It’s a reason to connect with people that have been really, really important to you in your career.”
Only Bowman, widely considered the greatest coach in NHL history, has coached more games. That places Maurice in an exclusive tier that may remain untouched for years. While Bowman reached the milestone later in life, Maurice has done so at 59 and could potentially surpass the all-time record if he continues coaching.
From a young coach given an early opportunity to a Stanley Cup champion and future Hall of Fame candidate, Maurice has built a career defined by persistence, growth, and long lasting success.
