It was likely the winningest Saturday night for the Maurice family — maybe ever.
Shortly after his Florida Panthers shut out the Edmonton Oilers to take Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, head coach Paul Maurice opened his post-game press conference by congratulating his son Jake and the ECHL’s Florida Everblades — for whom Jake does play-by-play — for their third consecutive Kelly Cup win.
“Well, I guess before we get started I have to congratulate (team president) Craig Brush, (GM/coach) Brad Ralph and maybe even Jake Maurice for the Florida Everblades,” Maurice said as soon as he sat down in front of reporters.
“Kid’s been in pro hockey for two years, he has two rings. Positively unbearable, it’s going to be in my house,” he joked. “I don’t care what league you’re in or what level you’re at. If you’re going to win a championship three straight years, that’s darn impressive. Well done, lads.”
The Panthers affiliate beat the Kansas City Mavericks in five games to achieve the three-peat and continue their dominance in the ECHL.
Though Maurice is still on the hunt for his first Stanley Cup, his son has experienced the taste of championship two years running.
Jake made the move to Florida in 2022 after his father was hired by the Panthers and has been in the booth to call the Everblades’ championships in 2023 and now in 2024.
Maurice has a ways to go before he can match his son’s winning record, but Game 1 on Saturday night was a good way to start.