FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - When the flurry of coaching changes settled down earlier this season the Florida Panthers were happy to announce the hiring of Pete DeBoer as their new bench boss. The transition from Junior coach to head man in the NsHL has been a rocky road.
"You're trying to get everything done, learning the personnel, going through everything for the first time in the NsHL. It was overwhelming," DeBoer said. "Now that the season is underway I feel much more comfortable in all of those areas."
DeBoer has been called a players' coach by some. “He's a guy who will be honest and fair to you. He's going to tell you the truth,” said Cats winger Justin Williams. “He has an open-door policy and in just a few games the players feel real comfortable playing for Pete.”
"I think the first 10 or 12 games will be a tough transition,” said Deboer. “Keenan was a strong coach and the players were used to his way. Once we establish some accountability and reward for playing time based on merit, I think they will respond."
DeBoer can be hard on his players something the team experienced first-hand after a recent three-game losing skid. But nothing compared to the volatility of Mike Keenan.
"I don't think I’ll change my game," DeBoer said. "An 82-game schedule is a grind and you must use different tactics and techniques. But, I can’t change what has worked for me in the past." So far that formula has worked just fine. Deboer is a two-time winner of OHL Coach of the Year award and coached the Kitchener Rangers to a Memorial Cup victory in 2003.
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