Peter DeBoer Opens Up About Why He Joined Islanders Now

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports Pete DeBoer was sitting at his home in Las Vegas on Saturday night when Mathieu Darche called him about the New York Islanders’ head coaching role. DeBoer was mere days from becoming the hottest head coach on the market. But he spoke Monday after running his first practice as the Islanders coach, only about 36 hours after Darche’s initial phone call.

DeBoer referenced the Greater New York area, where he spent three-and-a-half seasons as coach of the New Jersey Devils from 2011-14. He mentioned the familiar faces, like Bob Boughner with whom he coached the San Jose Sharks. He noted the other holdovers from the Lou Lamoriello era, since Lamoriello hired him in New Jersey 15 years ago.

Yet, DeBoer was most excited about the talent and the push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Islanders. New York is, of course, just one point out of the final postseason spot with four games left. Mathieu Darche Sold Pete DeBoer on Long Island, and Matthew Schaefer Helped John Hefti-Imagn Images DeBoer is less than a year removed from his last NHL head-coaching position.

But he sounded refreshed at his debut press availability while speaking about his growth after being removed after bashing Dallas Stars franchise goalie Jake Oettinger after they were eliminated from the Western Conference Final. “This is the first time in 18 years in the NHL, I had never spent a season away from the game,” DeBoer said. “When you do that, you get a little different perspective about how fortunate we are to do what we do … and don’t take it forget it.