Former Devils Coach Snaps, Uses Explicit Language with Media

When we hear that an NHL head coach has used colorful language or blown a gasket in a postgame media conference, we rightfully think of John Tortorella first. However, on Friday night, it was former New Jersey Devils head coach, Pete DeBoer, who used explicit language when addressing the media after Game 5 of the Western Conference Final.

DeBoer is in his second season as the head coach of the Dallas Stars, successfully leading Texas’ team to a second consecutive Western Conference Final. Last postseason, the Stars bowed out to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Vegas Golden Knights. This postseason, the Stars now find themselves down three games to one versus the Edmonton Oilers.

Following a 3-1 loss to Connor McDavid and Co. on Friday night that has the Stars on the brink of elimination, DeBoer was asked by a member of the media if he believed the Stars’ second period seemed “lifeless.” The answer that the former Devils head coach gave was unexpected.

“I mean, listen, there’s always things you can do better,” DeBoer said. “You can sit here and question our character if you want. You haven’t been around all year. I haven’t seen you all year. I’m not gonna do it. You go ahead and write whatever the f*** you want.”

"Write whatever the f*** you want" | Dallas Stars Pete DeBoer did NOT appreciate DMN columnist Tim Cowlishaw's question 😲

More DeBoer, Stars players Game 5 reaction here: https://t.co/gainXKceb4 #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/xWowKBOrGz

— WFAA (@wfaa) June 1, 2024

Pete!

With a Stanley Cup Final appearance on the line, it was an emotional answer from the former Devils’ bench boss following a tough loss to the Oilers on Dallas home ice.

DeBoer is an extremely successful head coach, especially in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In his first season with the Devils, he coached New Jersey to the Final, albeit, ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Kings. Since then, he’s returned to the playoffs nine times between stints with the Golden Knights, Stars, and San Jose Sharks. Further, in five of those nine playoff appearances, DeBoer has coached his teams to the Conference Final five times.

Yet, the former Devils bench boss has continually come up short of hoisting Lord Stanley. He came closest in 2012 with New Jersey, losing in Game 6 to the Kings.

Stating the obvious, although it was 12 years ago, the feeling of a championship loss doesn’t quite ever go away and DeBoer would certainly like to be on the other side of a Stanley Cup outcome, hence his emotional answer Friday night.

DeBoer and the Stars take on the Oilers again on Sunday in Edmonton with their season and Stanley Cup aspirations on the line.

For more Devils news, visit New Jersey Hockey Now and like our Facebook page.

Follow us on 𝕏:

@NJDHockeyNow, @JamesNicholsNHL, @NickNatale10

And on Threads:

@JamesNicholsNHL