Peter DeBoer

Peter DeBoer is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player, best known for coaching multiple NHL teams and for his long junior hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League.

Peter DeBoer is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player, best known for coaching multiple NHL teams and for his long junior hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League. He has been one of the league’s most successful coaches by wins and has reached the Stanley Cup Final with multiple clubs. In 2026, he was announced as head coach of the New York Islanders.

Early life and playing career

Peter DeBoer was born on June 13, 1968, in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. He later played professional hockey before moving into coaching.

Junior coaching career

DeBoer spent 13 seasons as a head coach in the Ontario Hockey League with the Detroit Whalers, Plymouth Whalers and Kitchener Rangers. During that period he won the Memorial Cup with the Kitchener Rangers in 2003 and earned two OHL Coach of the Year awards.

NHL coaching career

He became an NHL head coach with the Florida Panthers in 2008 and later coached the New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars and New York Islanders. According to the NHL Islanders profile, his career NHL head-coaching record is 662-447-152.

Postseason record

DeBoer has taken the Devils and Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final, and the Golden Knights and Stars to the Western Conference Final in his first season with each team. He has not won the Stanley Cup as a head coach.