Pete DeBoer Fired as Stars Coach
DALLAS – The Dallas Stars have announced the dismissal of their coach, Pete DeBoer, after three seasons at the helm of the team. Despite reaching the Western Conference finals in each of them, the Stars failed to advance to the Stanley Cup final. The general manager, Jim Nill, made the decision less than a week after the Stars’ season concluded with a 6-3 home loss to Edmonton in Game 5 of the Western Finals.Dallas joins the 1975-77 Islanders as the only teams in the expansion era to have lost in the round before the Stanley Cup Final for three consecutive seasons.After careful consideration, we believe a new voice is needed in our locker room to get us closer to our goal of winning the Stanley Cup. We would like to thank Pete for all he has helped our organization achieve over the past three seasons and wish him the best in the future.
Jim Nill, General Manager of the Stars
DeBoer was criticized for pulling goalie Jake Oettinger seven minutes into Game 5 against Edmonton. Oettinger had conceded two goals on two shots, but had been one of the best goalies in the league this season.
Oettinger stated he felt surprised and ashamed, while DeBoer affirmed that he knew that, if the decision didn’t work, he would have to answer difficult questions.
A DeBoer had one year left on his contract.
