The Dallas Stars have dismissed head coach Pete DeBoer following their elimination by the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final. The team made the announcement on Friday. This marks the third straight Western Conference Final loss for the Stars and their second consecutive defeat to the Oilers.
In a statement, Stars general manager Jim Nill stated the team felt a `new voice` was necessary to overcome recent playoff hurdles and secure the franchise`s second Stanley Cup.
Nill also expressed gratitude, saying, “We thank Pete for his contributions to our organization over the past three seasons and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
DeBoer was hired by the Stars in 2022 and achieved considerable success during his three years as head coach. Under his guidance, Dallas captured the Central Division title in 2023-24 and consistently finished no lower than second place.
Despite regular season success, DeBoer was unable to guide the team beyond the conference final round. In 2023, the Stars were defeated by the Vegas Golden Knights in six games, and they have now lost to the Oilers in the Western Conference Final for two consecutive seasons.
Their exit this season was particularly decisive, as Edmonton secured four consecutive victories to win the series in just five games. Notably, in Game 5, DeBoer made the controversial decision to remove starting goaltender Jake Oettinger from the net less than 10 minutes into the first period after the team fell behind 2-0.
DeBoer`s explanation for that particular decision was met with some confusion, and Oettinger himself acknowledged the situation felt `embarrassing.`
DeBoer concludes his tenure in Dallas with a regular season record of 149-68-29 and a playoff record of 29-27. The Stars will now commence their search for a new head coach, joining a number of other teams who have already filled coaching positions this offseason.
Although several prominent coaching candidates have already been hired by other teams, the Dallas position remains highly attractive. In addition to being the fourth-winningest team over the past three seasons, the Stars boast a core of young talent already under contract for the foreseeable future.
Regarding DeBoer`s future, it is uncertain where he might next find an opportunity. His last two coaching roles, with Dallas and Vegas, both lasted precisely three seasons. It appears improbable that DeBoer would secure another head coaching position before the 2025-26 season begins, though he could become a prime candidate should any in-season coaching changes arise.
