Peter Laviolette’s time as a player in the NHL was not very noteworthy. Laviolette did play for the United States at the Olympics twice (When NHL players weren’t allowed to play), but his real contribution to the game came after he hung up the skates and grabbed a clipboard.
He lasted only 12 games in the NHL, all of which came with the New York Rangers between November 8th and December 12th, 1988. During this time, the only numbers on Laviolette’s career NHL stat sheet came from two shots on goal and three minor penalties.
Now, he’s found another way into the record books.
On Monday, the Nashville Predators advanced to the first Stanley Cup Final appearance in franchise history. While the team’s fanbase is celebrating a first, Peter Laviolette is preparing for his third Final. What makes his return even more impressive is that the Predators are the third franchise that he’s coached to the final, joining a short list of only three other legendary coaches to do so: Scotty Bowman (Montreal, Pittsburgh, Detroit, St. Louis), Mike Keenen (Philadelphia, Chicago, New York Rangers), and Dick Irvin (Chicago, Toronto, Montreal).
Laviolette previously coached Carolina and Philadelphia to the finals, winning a cup with the Hurricanes in 2006.
The short list is an impressive accomplishment and one that was met with admiration across the hockey world. Laviolette on the other hand did not take time to bask in the moment.
It is true that both the Hurricanes and the Flyers fired Laviolette, as well as a New York Islanders team that he coached out of a seven-year playoff drought, but his continued success shows off just how versatile and adaptive the Franklin, Massachusetts native is behind the bench. As for the franchises that cut him loose, they may be wishing they had a take-back on this one.
Ian Mendes is right, for a coach with this kind of proven success, especially in non-traditional hockey markets, he doesn't get nearly enough credit.
While Laviolette deflects praise and maintains a cool-guy attitude, we know how he really felt…
