Last Updated on November 14, 2026 by Bernald Sanders
Paul Maurice is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and the head coach of the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 30, 1967, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, Maurice is a two-time Stanley Cup champion who guided the Panthers to consecutive championships in 2024 and 2025.
Beyond his successful coaching career, Maurice is a husband, father, son, and brother. He is married to Michelle Maurice, a former high school teacher, and the couple has three children: Sydney, Jake, and Luke Maurice.
His parents are Denis and Dolores Maurice, both former educators from Sault Ste. Marie. He also has two brothers, Michael and Shane Maurice.
Throughout his decades-long coaching career, Maurice has frequently acknowledged the sacrifices made by his wife, children, parents, and siblings.
Paul Maurice’s Girlfriend and Wife: Who Is He Married To?
Paul Maurice is married to Michelle Maurice, his longtime partner and the mother of their three children.
Michelle, who is sometimes referred to as Mitch, has supported her husband throughout his extensive coaching career.
The couple has been married since approximately 1994, although their exact wedding date has not been reliably established in official reporting.
Paul Maurice’s Wife: Michelle Maurice
Michelle Maurice previously worked as a high school teacher in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
According to a February 2021 interview published by The Athletic and reproduced by the National Hockey League Coaches’ Association, Michelle was teaching in Windsor during the period when Paul was involved with junior hockey.
Paul played for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League before beginning his coaching career.
The couple subsequently experienced numerous relocations as Maurice accepted coaching positions with different professional hockey organizations.
These moves included living in Hartford, Carolina, Toronto, Winnipeg, and South Florida.
Throughout those transitions, Michelle helped maintain stability for their children while her husband managed the demanding schedule associated with professional coaching.
Although Michelle occasionally appears at hockey celebrations and public events, she generally maintains a private personal life.
How Long Have Paul and Michelle Maurice Been Married?
Paul and Michelle have been married for more than three decades.
During the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup championship parade on June 30, 2024, Maurice publicly acknowledged his wife and their approximately 30 years of marriage.
He humorously thanked Michelle for remaining beside him despite the challenges associated with his personality and coaching career.
The moment received considerable attention from hockey supporters because it demonstrated Maurice’s sense of humor and appreciation for his wife.
During a September 2024 interview, Maurice again acknowledged Michelle’s sacrifices, explaining that she deserved to enjoy the Stanley Cup celebrations after supporting him for so many years.
He even joked that his personal day with the Stanley Cup belonged more to his wife than to him.
Michelle Maurice’s Role in Her Husband’s Coaching Career
Professional hockey coaches frequently experience long periods away from home because of road trips, training camps, and playoff commitments.
These demands can be particularly challenging for families raising children.
In a December 2018 interview with Global News, Paul discussed how important Michelle was to the family’s organization.
He explained that she managed many of their household responsibilities while he concentrated on coaching.
Maurice also discussed their family traditions, particularly during Christmas.
The family enjoyed French-Canadian tourtière on Christmas Eve and decorated their home with ornaments Michelle had collected for their children over the years.
These traditions helped preserve a sense of normality despite the uncertainty of professional hockey.
Paul and Michelle Maurice’s Family Pets
Another interesting aspect of the couple’s personal life is their affection for cats.
Paul and Michelle have two cats named Poppy and Penny.
The pets attracted considerable attention during the Panthers’ 2024 Stanley Cup championship celebrations.
At the team’s parade in Fort Lauderdale, Maurice wore a customized T-shirt featuring illustrations of Poppy and Penny incorporated into the Florida Panthers logos.
The shirt was designed by his daughter Sydney.
According to NHL.com, Maurice subsequently began wearing cat-themed neckties behind the Panthers bench.
He explained that the ties were gifts associated with his family’s affection for their pets.
For Maurice, wearing them was a lighthearted way to maintain a connection with his wife and daughter during games.
Paul Maurice’s Children: Does He Have a Son or Daughter?
Paul Maurice has three children with his wife Michelle: one daughter, Sydney Maurice, and two sons, Jake Maurice and Luke Maurice.
Their names are confirmed by the Florida Panthers’ official coaching biography.
All three have pursued post-secondary education, according to a 2021 interview with Maurice.
Although their father is an established NHL coach, the children have developed interests and careers of their own.
Paul Maurice’s Daughter: Sydney Maurice
Sydney Maurice is Paul and Michelle’s daughter.
She has developed a career in education and hockey coaching, following aspects of both parents’ professional backgrounds.
Sydney attended St. Mary’s Academy in Winnipeg, Manitoba, graduating in 2015.
According to the school’s official 2022 newsletter, she subsequently returned to the academy as an English Language Arts teacher.
She has also been involved in coaching girls’ ice hockey.
In January 2026, the Winnipeg Free Press reported that Sydney was coaching the St. Mary’s Academy Flames in the Manitoba Women’s High School Hockey League.
Her father attended one of the team’s practices shortly after arriving in Winnipeg for an NHL road game.
The visit demonstrated Maurice’s continued interest in his daughter’s career.
Sydney Maurice’s Role in the Stanley Cup Celebration
Sydney attracted considerable attention during the Florida Panthers’ 2024 Stanley Cup parade.
She created a customized T-shirt featuring the family’s two cats, Poppy and Penny.
Paul had promised to wear the shirt if Florida won the championship.
After the Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 24, 2024, he fulfilled that promise.
During the championship parade, Maurice proudly displayed the shirt while celebrating with supporters.
The humorous moment became popular among Panthers fans.
According to a June 2025 NHL.com feature, Maurice continued wearing cat-themed accessories because they made his family happy.
Paul Maurice’s Son: Jake Maurice
Jake Maurice is one of Paul and Michelle’s two sons and has followed his father into the professional hockey industry.
However, rather than pursuing a coaching career, Jake chose sports broadcasting.
Born around 1999, Jake developed an interest in hockey media during his teenage years.
In a June 2023 interview with NHL.com, he explained that he began considering a broadcasting career when he was approximately 14 or 15 years old.
He eventually enrolled at Red River College in Winnipeg to study communications.
His first significant broadcasting opportunity came with the Winnipeg Blues of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Jake initially had limited experience in play-by-play commentary but quickly developed an interest in the profession.
He spent three seasons working with the organization.
Jake Maurice’s Career With the Florida Everblades
When Paul became head coach of the Florida Panthers in June 2022, Jake also received an opportunity to develop his career in Florida.
He joined the Florida Everblades of the ECHL as a play-by-play broadcaster.
His responsibilities included broadcasting road games remotely, conducting interviews, and helping with the team’s pregame programming.
Jake was part of the Everblades organization when the team won the Kelly Cup championship in 2023.
His father humorously acknowledged that Jake had won a professional hockey championship before him.
The Everblades subsequently won another Kelly Cup in 2024, giving Jake two championships before Paul captured his first Stanley Cup.
During a June 2024 press conference, Maurice congratulated his son and the Everblades for their success.
He jokingly suggested that Jake had become difficult to live with because of his championship achievements.
How Jake Maurice Influenced His Father
Jake’s broadcasting career has also influenced how Paul approaches interviews and press conferences.
During a June 2023 NHL.com interview, Maurice explained that watching his son work as a broadcaster gave him a different perspective on sports journalism.
He became more aware of the challenges reporters face when interviewing coaches following difficult losses.
Maurice acknowledged that he would not want another coach treating Jake disrespectfully simply because of a frustrating result.
Consequently, he began paying closer attention to the way he responded to journalists.
Jake has also publicly praised his father for supporting his professional ambitions.
In a June 2024 interview with WPTV, he described how meaningful it was to watch Paul finally win the Stanley Cup after decades of dedication.
Paul Maurice’s Son: Luke Maurice
Luke Maurice is Paul and Michelle’s other son.
His identity is confirmed in the Florida Panthers’ official coaching biography.
Like his siblings, Luke grew up in a family accustomed to frequent relocations because of his father’s coaching career.
According to Maurice’s 2021 interview with The Athletic, all three children pursued post-secondary education.
When Paul accepted the Panthers coaching position in June 2022, he also mentioned that one of his sons had received admission to the University of Miami School of Law.
The possibility of having a family member studying in South Florida made the coaching opportunity particularly attractive.
However, Luke has maintained a relatively private public profile compared with Jake and Sydney.
Further details about his current occupation, relationships, and personal life have not been widely documented in official NHL reporting.
Paul Maurice’s Parents: Meet His Father and Mother
Paul Maurice was born to Denis Maurice and Dolores Maurice in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
Both parents pursued careers in education and raised their three sons in a family that valued learning, discipline, and personal responsibility.
Their support became particularly important when Paul began pursuing competitive hockey during childhood.
Paul Maurice’s Father: Denis Maurice
Denis Maurice is Paul Maurice’s father and a former Canadian school principal.
He worked in education in Sault Ste. Marie, including at Holy Angels elementary school.
Denis was also a passionate hockey supporter who introduced his sons to the sport during childhood.
In a June 2024 interview with SooToday, he recalled encouraging Paul to learn how to skate before beginning organized hockey.
Paul participated in figure skating lessons for approximately one year during his preschool years.
The experience helped him develop basic skating skills before transitioning into hockey.
Denis later supported Paul’s participation in local youth hockey programs.
Denis Maurice’s Hockey Heroes
Denis grew up admiring some of the greatest players in NHL history.
His favorites included Jean Béliveau, Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe, and Ted Lindsay.
These players represented the traditional hockey culture that influenced Denis during his childhood.
He shared his appreciation for the sport with Paul and his brothers.
When Paul finally won the Stanley Cup in June 2024, he reflected on how important the victory was to his father.
He explained that the Maurice family name would now appear on the trophy alongside many of Denis’s childhood heroes.
The moment became one of the most emotional parts of Paul’s championship celebration.
Paul Maurice’s Mother: Dolores Maurice
Dolores Maurice is Paul Maurice’s mother and a former teacher from Sault Ste. Marie.
She worked in education, including at St. Mary’s high school.
Dolores helped raise Paul and his two brothers, Michael and Shane.
According to local reporting, both parents encouraged their children to pursue education and independent careers.
Dolores remained supportive throughout Paul’s transition from junior hockey player to professional coach.
Although his coaching career frequently required him to move across North America, she continued following his achievements.
Denis and Dolores Maurice Celebrate the 2024 Stanley Cup
One of the most emotional moments in the Maurice family’s history occurred on June 24, 2024.
That evening, the Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Denis and Dolores watched the decisive game from their home in Sault Ste. Marie.
At the time, Denis was 85 years old, while Dolores was 83.
According to an interview published by SooToday, the couple had spent decades following Paul’s coaching career through victories, disappointments, and difficult seasons.
Shortly after Florida won the championship, Paul telephoned his parents directly from the ice.
He wanted them to share the moment before the celebrations became overwhelming.
Dolores was initially surprised that her son was calling instead of celebrating with the team.
Nevertheless, the conversation became a memorable family experience.
Paul later explained that speaking with his parents immediately after winning the Stanley Cup had been one of his greatest wishes.
Paul Maurice’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Paul Maurice has two brothers named Michael Maurice and Shane Maurice.
The three brothers grew up together in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
According to a February 2021 interview with The Athletic, one of Paul’s brothers became a general surgeon, while the other pursued engineering.
Both chose careers outside professional NHL coaching.
Paul Maurice’s Brother: Michael Maurice
Michael Maurice, also known as Mike Maurice, is one of Paul’s two brothers.
Local reporting identifies Michael as the older brother.
The siblings grew up participating in hockey and other recreational activities in Sault Ste. Marie.
During their childhood, organized hockey was particularly popular in the community.
Many local children played at neighborhood rinks and public recreational facilities.
Although Michael followed a different professional path from Paul, the brothers maintained connections through their family and shared upbringing.
In a June 2024 article published by The Hockey News, Paul mentioned that his older brother Mike enjoyed listening to his press conferences because they provided insight into professional hockey.
Michael generally maintains a private public profile, and further details about his personal life have not been extensively documented.
Paul Maurice’s Younger Brother: Shane Maurice
Shane Maurice is Paul’s younger brother.
He grew up alongside Paul and Michael in the family’s Sault Ste. Marie home.
During childhood, Shane participated in the community’s hockey culture and shared experiences with his brothers.
In June 2024, Shane spoke to SooToday about Paul’s journey toward winning the Stanley Cup.
He recalled the influence of local coaches and hockey figures who helped Paul develop during his youth.
Shane mentioned former coach Mike Zuke and other individuals connected to the Sault Ste. Marie hockey community.
He also described how his brother’s relationships with teammates and coaches helped prepare him for a long career in professional hockey.
Shane Maurice Celebrates His Brother’s Stanley Cup Victory
Shane and his family watched Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final from Sault Ste. Marie.
Following the Panthers’ victory, he visited his parents to celebrate with them.
Shane later described how emotional it was to see Denis and Dolores finally witness their son’s championship achievement.
He was also present when Paul called his parents from the ice following the game.
The experience created a memorable family celebration after nearly three decades of professional coaching.
Does Paul Maurice Have a Sister?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Paul Maurice has a sister.
Available family interviews identify three brothers: Michael, Paul, and Shane.
Paul Maurice’s Childhood and Family Background
Paul Maurice was born on January 30, 1967, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
He grew up in a family where education and sports were important parts of everyday life.
His parents encouraged all three sons to pursue their interests while emphasizing the importance of hard work and responsibility.
Paul developed a passion for hockey at a young age.
He frequently played street hockey with friends near the family’s home.
According to local reporting, professional hockey players occasionally visited neighborhood recreational areas where children played.
Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky were among the prominent players associated with the Sault Ste. Marie hockey community during his childhood.
As his skills developed, Maurice became a competitive defenseman.
He eventually joined the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.
The Philadelphia Flyers selected him in the 12th round, 252nd overall, of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft.
However, an eye injury during his junior career contributed to his decision to pursue coaching.
Paul Maurice’s Professional Coaching Career
Paul Maurice began coaching in junior hockey before becoming head coach of the Detroit Jr. Red Wings.
During the 1994–95 season, he guided the organization to an Ontario Hockey League championship.
His success attracted attention from NHL organizations.
In November 1995, Maurice became head coach of the Hartford Whalers at just 28 years old.
He later continued coaching the franchise after its relocation to Carolina.
During his first tenure with the Carolina Hurricanes, he guided the team to the 2002 Stanley Cup Final.
He subsequently coached the Toronto Maple Leafs before returning to Carolina and later joining the Winnipeg Jets.
In Winnipeg, Maurice became one of the most recognizable figures in the franchise’s history.
He guided the Jets to the 2018 Western Conference Final and established team records for games coached and victories.
On December 17, 2021, he resigned from his position with Winnipeg.
After spending several months away from coaching, he accepted the Florida Panthers’ head coaching position in June 2022.
Paul Maurice Wins His First Stanley Cup in 2024
Maurice finally achieved his dream of winning the Stanley Cup on June 24, 2024.
The Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in seven games, securing the first championship in franchise history.
For Maurice, the victory ended nearly 30 years of pursuing the NHL’s most prestigious trophy as a head coach.
His first thoughts following the championship were about the relatives who had supported him during that journey.
He acknowledged Michelle, Sydney, Jake, Luke, Denis, Dolores, and other family members during the celebrations.
The following season, Florida defeated Edmonton again to win the 2025 Stanley Cup.
The second championship further strengthened Maurice’s place among the most successful coaches in NHL history.
Paul Maurice Reaches 2,000 NHL Games in 2026
On March 24, 2026, Maurice coached his 2,000th NHL regular-season game when Florida faced the Seattle Kraken.
He became only the second head coach in NHL history to reach that milestone, joining Scotty Bowman.
The achievement reflected the longevity of a career that began in the NHL in 1995.
It also highlighted the importance of the family support that allowed him to manage the demands of professional coaching over several decades.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paul Maurice’s Family
Who is Paul Maurice’s wife?
Paul Maurice is married to Michelle Maurice, a former high school teacher who worked in Windsor, Ontario.
Does Paul Maurice have a girlfriend?
Paul Maurice is married to his longtime partner Michelle rather than publicly known to be dating a girlfriend.
When did Paul Maurice get married?
Paul Maurice and Michelle married around 1994. He referred to approximately 30 years of marriage during Florida’s 2024 Stanley Cup celebration.
How many children does Paul Maurice have?
Paul Maurice has three children with his wife Michelle: Sydney, Jake, and Luke.
Who is Paul Maurice’s daughter?
His daughter is Sydney Maurice, an educator and girls’ hockey coach associated with St. Mary’s Academy in Winnipeg.
Who is Paul Maurice’s son Jake?
Jake Maurice is a professional hockey broadcaster who worked with the Florida Everblades during their Kelly Cup championship seasons.
Who is Paul Maurice’s son Luke?
Luke Maurice is Paul and Michelle’s other son. He maintains a relatively private public profile, and details about his professional life are limited.
Who is Paul Maurice’s father?
His father is Denis Maurice, a former school principal from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Who is Paul Maurice’s mother?
His mother is Dolores Maurice, a former teacher who worked in Sault Ste. Marie.
Does Paul Maurice have siblings?
Yes. Paul Maurice has two brothers named Michael and Shane Maurice.
Who is Paul Maurice’s older brother?
His older brother is Michael Maurice, commonly known as Mike.
Who is Paul Maurice’s younger brother?
His younger brother is Shane Maurice, who participated in family interviews following Paul’s 2024 Stanley Cup victory.
Does Paul Maurice have a sister?
No sister has been publicly confirmed. Available family reporting identifies Paul and his two brothers.
Are Paul Maurice’s parents still alive?
Denis and Dolores Maurice were both alive in June 2024, when they watched their son win his first Stanley Cup. Their current status has not been independently confirmed in the reporting reviewed for this article.
What are Paul Maurice’s cats called?
Paul and Michelle have two cats named Poppy and Penny. Their daughter Sydney designed a customized shirt featuring the cats for Florida’s 2024 Stanley Cup parade.
Where is Paul Maurice from?
Paul Maurice was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, on January 30, 1967.
Which NHL team does Paul Maurice coach?
Paul Maurice is the head coach of the Florida Panthers, a position he has held since June 2022.
How many Stanley Cups has Paul Maurice won?
Paul Maurice has won two Stanley Cup championships as head coach of the Florida Panthers, in 2024 and 2025.
Living and breathing ice hockey, Bernald Sanders delivers comprehensive coverage of the NHL season from puck drop to the Stanley Cup Finals. He specializes in tactical breakdowns, trade analysis, power-play strategies, and tracking rising draft prospects. Bernald turns fast-paced on-ice action into clear, sharp insights for hockey fans around the globe.
