1) Last week in a very quiet manner, Carolina Hurricanes head coach Peter Laviolette set the N.H.L. record for most victories by a United States-born coach. Laviolette surpassed John Tortorella, the former Tampa Bay coach, by collecting his 240th career victory. No word if Torts went on a homicidal rampage upon receiving word his record was toast. ; )2) Said a modest Laviolette “If you stay around long enough, something will happen, and I’ve been fortunate and lucky to stay around long enough in this game.”
- After taking over the New York Islanders, which had suffered seven years of post-season futility prior to his arrival, he led his team to the playoffs in both seasons he was there. His first season in New York resulted in a surprisingly consistent reason in which the Islanders earned 96 points (42–28–8–4 record), nearly winning the Atlantic division, before losing a close playoff series to The Maple Leafs in 7 games
- The Islanders sneaked into the playoffs the next season, despite just 35 victories, and then lost in 5 games to the Ottawa Senators in the first round. Following this the Isles for reasons never fully disclosed (a rift with team veterans), fired Peter.
- Following this termination, Laviolette didn't sit long. He joined the Hurricanes in December 2003 when Paul Maurice was let go. He had a respectable record for a re-building Canes. The Bettman lock out season followed
- The highlight of his career came in 2005-06 when Laviolette then 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). The Hurricanes then went on to win their first (only) Stanley Cup, beating the Oilers in 7 games.
- He was runner-up in the Jack Adams Award Coach of the Year Award which was awarded to Lindy Ruff in the closest vote ever recorded for this award, 155–154.
3) He is one of only three American-born coaches in the NHL right now, along with Scott Gordon of the Islanders and Tony Granato of the Colorado Avalanche. When we first heard he broke the record we were surprised. We hold Laviolette in high regard, but didn't realize that there weren't more successful US-born coaches through the years. Here are the top 6. Of course John Tortorella is likely not done quite yet so this record might go back and forth between the 43 year old Laviolette and the 50 yr old Tortorella.
- Peter Laviolette- 240
- John Tortorella-239
- Bob Johnson-234
- Robbie Ftorek-229
- Herb Brooks- 219
- Paul Holmgren-161
3 comments:
we shuda never got rid of lavolete. he was a good coche and we havent been as good since he left here. Nolan did a good job two. Why don't we keep the coches who are good hear? i bet hes happy he not here no more. HEHEHEHE
It wasn't really a big deal even down here. A lot of the fans aren't too happy with Lavy these days. Yes he won a cup for us, but its been 2 seasons without playoffs and fans are getting impatient now. If we collapse and don't make the playoffs this year Lavioltte is going to be out a job right fast.
Congrats Peter! From a fellow New Englander its nice to see him succeed. He got his start up this way coaching the baby Bruins, and it was clear he would do well at coaching. Way to go. Many more wins (except when you're playing us)
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