(Sunrise) Paul Maurice saw a younger version of himself. He just didn’t think the man in question fit, at that particular moment.
The Winnipeg Jets head coach began the process of interviewing candidates to fill an assistant role in 2016. Kris Knoblauch was number 16 on a list of 17 names vying for the position.
“He was a young man at the time,” remembers Maurice, today the boss behind the bench of the Florida Panthers.
“You sit down and 10 minutes later you’re like, This guy is a head coach. It’s simply hip. It is very clear, very concise. He was very open about what he was doing, what he wanted to do. »
Some eight years later, Knoblauch – signed by the Edmonton Oilers in November in hopes of salvaging their season after a disastrous start – and Maurice faced off in the Stanley Cup final.
Maurice saw a lot of similarities to his own background when he reviewed Knoblauch’s resume. Both were young voices in hockey. And like him, Knoblauch never played in the NHL.
“I didn’t hire him because I didn’t want that for him,” explained Maurice, 57, before the first match of the final, presented on Saturday evening.
“We don’t come from within. I thought the best thing for him was to stay as head coach because he was going to be one. We felt it. I had a lot of respect for him. »
Knoblauch spent another season with the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League after failing in his attempt to join the Jets, before accepting an assistant position with the Philadelphia Flyers.
A long stint as head coach of the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League followed. That in turn led him to Alberta’s capital – and the Cup final.
Knoblauch, who sought advice from Maurice before accepting the job in Philadelphia, remembers the interview process for the role with the Jets.
“I’ve heard a lot of positive things about him,” the 45-year-old said. “He is very sincere and very kind. »
The 2024 final will pit Maurice, who is second only to Scotty Bowman in career games coached, against Knoblauch, who has only been in the spotlight behind the NHL benches. only 87 times.
Looking for a first triumph in his third appearance in the final, Maurice was asked if his career would be complete if he didn’t lift hockey’s silver chalice.
“As you get older, you have a different view of life and what is important and valuable,” he replied. “I need to win one.” Now, this isn’t going to change the part of my life that isn’t hockey related at all. It’s the truth. That’s what I feel. I have 30 years of experience in this field. I wouldn’t mind winning one. »
Maurice advised Knoblauch against taking the Flyers job because he didn’t feel ready when he entered the league in his mid-20s.
Knoblauch did not follow the advice. But things got better.
“I wish I had five more years as a head coach at any level,” Maurice says of his early years.
“He obviously didn’t need it, did he?” He has this strength. I remember it very well. I thought I was almost looking at myself a few years ago. I experienced what he experienced. »