Peter DeBoer to Sharks: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

The San Jose Sharks have a new leader—head coach Peter DeBoer.

The team’s official Twitter account passed along the news Thursday:

DeBoer is the eighth head coach in franchise history and replaces Todd McLellan, who joined the Edmonton Oilers this offseason.

DeBoer coached with the Florida Panthers for three years and then took over the New Jersey Devils. He led the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season, where they ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Kings. That trip to the Stanley Cup Final for DeBoer was one more than the Sharks have enjoyed in their franchise history.

New Jersey fell off in DeBoer’s next two seasons, and the Devils fired him in December after another lackluster start.

In all, the new San Jose coach boasts a 217-200-77 record in seven seasons.

General manager Doug Wilson discussed the new hire, per the team’s official website:

"

Peter is a well-respected leader who possesses all of the characteristics we were looking for in our next head coach. He’s an extremely intelligent and innovative individual who likes to play an aggressive system. Peter has a track record of extracting the most out of his players and is willing to make tough decisions that are based on achieving team success. We’re extremely excited to have him leading our group.

"

Ray Slover of Sporting News noted that the main reason behind the decision to go with DeBoer was puck possession. DeBoer’s New Jersey team that nearly won the title was known for that style of play, and the hope in San Jose is that the Sharks can replicate it.

San Jose missed the playoffs this year for the first time in 11 seasons and will likely need somewhat of a roster rebuild before the 2015-16 campaign begins. There simply hasn’t been enough sustained playoff success even in the years the team put together impressive runs during the regular season. 

Sharks fans looking for a quick rebuild will take note of DeBoer’s quote, per Brodie Brazil of Comcast SportsNet:

All of San Jose certainly hopes those wins come quickly.