Peter Laviolette
Laviolette in 2014
Born (1964-12-07) December 7, 1964
Franklin, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Left
Played for New York Rangers
Current NHL coach New York Rangers
Coached for New York Islanders
Carolina Hurricanes
Philadelphia Flyers
Nashville Predators
Washington Capitals
National team  United States
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 1986–1997
Coaching career 1997–present

Peter Philip Laviolette Jr.[1] (born December 7, 1964) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the current head coach for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was previously the head coach of the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Washington Capitals. He led the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup win in 2006, and later coached the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010, and the Predators in 2017. Laviolette is the fourth coach in NHL history to lead three teams to the Stanley Cup Finals.[2] He played 12 NHL games, all with the New York Rangers.

On October 13, 2021, Laviolette won his 647th game as an NHL head coach, passing John Tortorella to become the winningest American-born head coach in league history.[3] In February 2022, Laviolette became the 10th head coach in NHL history to record 700 wins.[4]

Laviolette was born in Franklin, Massachusetts, and attended Franklin High School, where he played baseball and ice hockey.[5][6] He played college ice hockey at Westfield State College in Westfield, Massachusetts.[7]

Playing career

As a player, Laviolette spent the majority of his 10-year career playing for various minor league teams. He played 12 games in the NHL for the New York Rangers during the 1988–89 season, but failed to record a point. Laviolette also played for the United States in the Olympics twice (1988 and 1994).

Coaching career

Laviolette coaching the Philadelphia Flyers in April 2012

He began his coaching career as head coach of the ECHL Wheeling Nailers. In one season as coach, he led his team to a 37–24–9 record and a berth in the playoffs, wherein they lost in the third round. He left Wheeling to take over the head coaching job for the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League (AHL). In 1998–99, he coached the team to a 56–15–4 regular-season record. In the playoffs, Providence won the AHL Calder Cup Championship with a 15–4 playoff record. Laviolette was named the AHL Coach of the Year.

Laviolette's success in the AHL earned him a stint as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. Having grown up in the Boston suburb of Franklin, Laviolette was disappointed when he did not get the head coaching job in Boston after that season so he left for the head coaching job on Long Island.

New York Islanders

He became head coach of the New York Islanders in 2001. After taking over the New York Islanders, which had missed the playoffs for seven years prior to his arrival, he led his team to the playoffs in both seasons he was there. His first season in New York, the Islanders earned 96 points (42–28–8–4 record), nearly winning the Atlantic Division before losing in the first round to the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games. The Islanders snuck into the playoffs the following season and then lost in five games to the Ottawa Senators in the first round. On June 3, 2003, he was fired by general manager Mike Milbury.[8]

Carolina Hurricanes

Laviolette came to the Carolina Hurricanes as head coach in the 2003–04 season, taking over following the firing of Paul Maurice. In his first season, he coached 52 games during a rebuilding year. Laviolette led the Hurricanes to an excellent regular season during his second year at the helm, winning the Southeast Division with 112 points (52–22–8 record). He also coached the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. The Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history during the 2006 playoffs, after winning two very close seven-game playoff series over the Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers. Laviolette was the fourth American-born coach to win it. He was also the runner-up for the Jack Adams Award for the NHL's Coach of the Year, which was awarded to Lindy Ruff in the closest vote ever recorded for this award, 155–154.

After winning their first Stanley Cup, Laviolette's Hurricanes suffered through an injury-plagued 2006–07 season that saw the team finish with a disappointing 40–34–8 record. The next season, the team once again got off to a poor start, but held first place in a weak division for most of the season, despite having a sub-.500 record until February. The team then got hot and built what was seen as a solid lead. However, the Washington Capitals got red hot in the final weeks, Carolina lost several games down the stretch, and Laviolette's group missed the post-season.

On November 7, 2008, following his 240th victory, Laviolette moved past John Tortorella to become the winningest American-born coach in the NHL.[9] Tortorella later eclipsed this record in 2009, and after several years of being within a few wins of each other, Laviolette regained the lead in 2021 while coaching the Washington Capitals.[3][10]

On December 3, 2008, Laviolette was fired as coach of the Hurricanes and replaced by his predecessor, Paul Maurice.[11]

Laviolette worked on the panel for the TV network TSN.

Philadelphia Flyers

On December 4, 2009, Laviolette replaced John Stevens as the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. Barely making it into the playoffs thanks to a shootout victory over rival New York Rangers, Laviolette's Flyers became the third NHL team to come back from a 3–0 series deficit, defeating the Boston Bruins 4–3 in Game 7 to reach the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals. On May 24, 2010, Laviolette led the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Flyers would lose the Finals in six games, with Chicago winning the Cup in overtime on June 9.

On April 1, 2012, in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Laviolette jawed with the Penguins' head coach Dan Bylsma after Penguin Joe Vitale hit Flyer Daniel Brière late in the game. Laviolette swung a stick against the boards which broke in half, and continued to verbally go after Bylsma and assistant coach Tony Granato, an American teammate of Laviolette during the 1988 Winter Olympics.

The HBO series 24/7: Flyers/Rangers leading up to the 2012 Winter Classic gave fans rare access to the Flyers locker room, and many of Laviolette's quotes became popular catch-phrases, such as, "We need to start playing with some jam," and, "It's about as casual as it gets." Laviolette himself acknowledged the popularity of his "jam" catch-phrase by making a video for the Flyers 2012 Fan Appreciation Game thanking Philadelphia fans for "bringing more jam than any other city in sports." For the Flyers' Game 6 Eastern Conference Quarter-final game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Flyers gave away orange shirts to all fans attending featuring an angry likeness of Laviolette and the phrase, "Time for some JAM!!"

After a 0–3 start of the 2013–14 season by the Flyers, Laviolette was fired October 7, 2013. He was replaced by assistant coach Craig Berube.[12]

Nashville Predators

On May 6, 2014, Laviolette was hired to become the head coach of the Nashville Predators, becoming the second head coach in team's history. He replaced Barry Trotz, who served 15 years as head coach of the Predators and the only coach the franchise had seen. Laviolette and his Nashville staff were chosen to coach one of the teams in the 2015 NHL All-Star Game for having the highest points percentage in the NHL through January 8, 2015. Laviolette guided the Predators to a franchise record ninth consecutive home win with a 4–3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 4, 2015. During the 2015-16 season, Laviolette guided the Predators to a new franchise record 14-game point streak. The team qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs but lost to the San Jose Sharks in the second round.

In 2017, the Predators again qualified for the playoffs as second wild card spot with 94 points. In the first round the team swept the Chicago Blackhawks 4–0, marking the first time that an eighth seed swept a playoff series against the top seed in the conference in National Hockey League history.[13] In the second round, the Predators defeated the St. Louis Blues in six games, marking the first time the team advanced to the Western Conference Finals. On May 16, the Predators beat the Anaheim Ducks in game 3 of the Western Conference Finals and became the first team in 20 years (since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997) to achieve 10 straight wins at home in the postseason.[14] On May 22, 2017, Laviolette guided the Predators to the franchise's first Western Conference Championship by beating the Ducks 6–3 to move on to the Stanley Cup Finals. After going down to the Pittsburgh Penguins 2–0, the Predators evened the series at 2, winning games 3 and 4 at home. Returning to Pittsburgh, the Predators lost 6–0 before being eliminated at home 2–0 in game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals on June 11, 2017.[15]

Laviolette was fired by the Predators on January 6, 2020, with the team sitting at sixth place in the division at the time with a record of 19–15–7.[16]

Washington Capitals

On September 15, 2020, Laviolette was named head coach of the Washington Capitals, replacing the recently fired Todd Reirden. [17]

On April 14, 2023, Laviolette and the Capitals mutually agreed to part ways after the team missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2013–14 season and finished with a below-.500 win percentage.[18]

New York Rangers

On June 13, 2023, the New York Rangers hired Laviolette as head coach, replacing Gerard Gallant.[19]

Honors, awards, distinctions

On February 26, 2020, Laviolette was named head coach of the United States men's national team.[20][21]

Personal life

Laviolette and his wife Kristen have two sons and one daughter.[22]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1982–83 Westfield State College NCAA III 26 3 7 10 14 — — — — —
1983–84 Westfield State College NCAA III 25 15 14 29 52 — — — — —
1984–85 Westfield State College NCAA III 23 13 15 28 22 — — — — —
1985–86 Westfield State College NCAA III 19 12 8 20 44 — — — — —
1986–87 Indianapolis Checkers IHL 72 10 20 30 146 5 0 1 1 12
1987–88 United States Intl 54 4 20 24 82 — — — — —
1987–88 Colorado Rangers IHL 19 2 5 7 27 9 3 5 8 7
1988–89 New York Rangers NHL 12 0 0 0 6 — — — — —
1988–89 Denver Rangers IHL 57 6 19 25 120 3 0 0 0 4
1989–90 Flint Spirits IHL 62 6 18 24 82 4 0 0 0 4
1990–91 Binghamton Rangers AHL 65 12 24 36 72 10 2 7 9 30
1991–92 Binghamton Rangers AHL 50 4 10 14 50 11 2 7 9 9
1992–93 Providence Bruins AHL 74 13 42 55 64 6 0 4 4 10
1993–94 United States Intl 56 10 25 35 63 — — — — —
1993–94 San Diego Gulls IHL 17 3 4 7 20 9 3 0 3 6
1994–95 Providence Bruins AHL 65 7 23 30 84 13 2 8 10 17
1995–96 Providence Bruins AHL 72 9 17 26 53 4 1 1 2 8
1996–97 Providence Bruins AHL 41 6 8 14 40 — — — — —
IHL totals 227 27 66 93 395 30 6 6 12 33
NHL totals 12 0 0 0 6 — — — — —
AHL totals 367 51 124 175 363 44 7 27 34 74

International

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
1988 United States OG 6 0 2 2 4
1994 United States OG 8 1 0 1 6
Senior totals 14 1 2 3 10

Head coaching record

TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
GWLTOTLPtsFinishWLWin %Result
NYI2001–02 82422884962nd in Atlantic34.429Lost in Conference Quarterfinals (TOR)
NYI2002–03 823534112833rd in Atlantic14.200Lost in Conference Quarterfinals (OTT)
NYI total1647762196  48.333 
CAR2003–04 52202264(50)3rd in Southeast———Missed playoffs
CAR2005–06 825222—81121st in Southeast169.640Won Stanley Cup (EDM)
CAR2006–07 824034—8883rd in Southeast———Missed playoffs
CAR2007–08 824333—6922nd in Southeast———Missed playoffs
CAR2008–09 251211—2(26)(fired)————
CAR total323167122628  169.640 
PHI2009–10 572824—5(61)3rd in Atlantic149.609Lost in Stanley Cup Finals (CHI)
PHI2010–11 824723—121061st in Atlantic47.364Lost in Conference Semifinals (BOS)
PHI2011–12 824726—91033rd in Atlantic56.500Lost in Conference Semifinals (NJD)
PHI2012–13 482322—3494th in Atlantic———Missed playoffs
PHI2013–14 303—00(fired)————
PHI total27214598—29  2322.511 
NSH2014–15 824725—101042nd in Central24.333Lost in First Round (CHI)
NSH2015–16 824127—14964th in Central77.500Lost in Second Round (SJS)
NSH2016–17 824129—12944th in Central148.636Lost in Stanley Cup Finals (PIT)
NSH2017–18 825318—111171st in Central76.538Lost in Second Round (WPG)
NSH2018–19 824729—61001st in Central24.333Lost in First Round (DAL)
NSH2019–20 411915—745(fired)————
NSH total451248143—60  3229.525 
WSH2020–21 563615—5772nd in East14.200Lost in First Round (BOS)
WSH2021–22 824426—121004th in Metropolitan24.333Lost in First Round (FLA)
WSH2022–23 823537—10806th in Metropolitan———Missed playoffs
WSH total22011578—27  38.273 
Total1,43075250325150  7876.5061 Stanley Cup
13 playoff appearances

References

  1. ↑ "Student Spotlight | Peter Laviolette '21". Plymouth Magazine. June 7, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2020. Laviolette's father, Peter Philip Laviolette Jr., had just completed...
  2. ↑ Elliott, Helene (May 22, 2017). "Predators coach Peter Laviolette joins an elite group with another trip to Stanley Cup Final". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Laviolette Becomes Winningest American-born Head Coach in NHL History". NHL.com. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Caps commemorate Laviolette's 700 wins with silver stick". RSN. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Franklin's favorite son Peter Laviolette on wrong side of rink". The Milford Daily News. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  6. ↑ Correspondent, Ken Hamwey / News Sports. "Yesterday's hero: His dream came true". Milford Daily News. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Peter Laviolette Class of 1986". Westfield Athletics. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Islanders fire Laviolette". CBC.ca. June 3, 2003. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Laviolette makes history in Hurricanes win over Senators". TSN.ca. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  10. ↑ "NHL Records". records.nhl.com. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Hurricanes dismiss Laviolette, bring back Maurice as coach". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  12. ↑ Hilbert, Evan (October 7, 2013). "Philadelphia Flyers fire coach Peter Laviolette". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  13. ↑ Nathan, Alec (April 21, 2017). "Predators Sweep Blackhawks to Open 2017 NHL Playoffs". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Preds rally, beat Ducks 2-1 to take 2-1 Western finals lead". ESPN. May 16, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  15. ↑ Pinchevsky, Tal (June 11, 2017). "Penguins win Stanley Cup after controversial early whistle cancels out Predators goal". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Predators Relieve Laviolette, McCarthy of Coaching Duties". NHL.com. January 6, 2020. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  17. ↑ Pell, Samantha. "Washington Capitals hire Peter Laviolette as team's new coach". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Capitals and Head Coach Peter Laviolette Agree to Part Ways". NHL.com. April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Peter Laviolette Named Rangers Head Coach". NHL.com. June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Laviolette Named Head Coach of 2020 U.S. Men's National Team". Team USA Hockey. February 26, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  21. ↑ Skrbina, Paul (February 26, 2020). "Former Predators coach Peter Laviolette named coach of U.S. National team". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Peter Laviolette Class of 1986". Westfield Athletics. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
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