DALLAS — The Dallas Stars relieved head coach Pete DeBoer of his duties Friday morning, following a third consecutive trip to the Western Conference Final. DeBoer was informed of the decision early Friday morning. The team released a statement from general manager Jim Nill shortly after:
“After careful consideration, we believe that a new voice is needed in our locker room to push us closer to our goal of winning the Stanley Cup, ” Nill said. “We’d like to thank Pete for everything that he has helped our organization achieve over the past three seasons and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
DeBoer’s firing comes after a weeks worth of speculation following the team’s Game 5 loss to the Edmonton Oilers and some questionable decisions that came from the Stars head coach. In Game 5 Deboer pulled goaltender Jake Oettinger during a timeout in the first period after the Stars went down 2-0. After the loss, he made the following remarks on if this was his best team as the Stars head coach.
During media exit interviews, Jake Oettinger called the goalie pull “embarrassing,” also describing it as “surprising,” but added that it’s an experience he plans to learn and grow from.
On Monday, I had heard some “big changes” would be coming for the Stars involving staffing related agenda items which would take place in closed-door meetings. Those meetings took place between Stars owner Tom Girardi and General Manager Jim Nill on
Wednesday, the Stars ultimately reached a decision to let go of Pete DeBoer. “I think it’s just time right now to make that next step. It’s a decision we have to make.” DeBoer exits Dallas with a regular-season record of 149-68-29 which is the best mark in the NHL over the past three seasons. He led the Stars to three straight trips to the Western Conference Final, but never advanced beyond.
Nill also mentioned the fallout with goaltender Jake Oettinger was a “component” of the decision.Now the Dallas Stars will start their official search for a new head coach. Neil Graham, the AHL’s Texas Stars Head Coach is a potential candidate according to Jim Nill,“ definitely, all he’s done is win and develop players.”
