NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Pete DeBoer is keeping his job as coach of the New Jersey Devils despite missing the playoffs in two straight seasons.
Devils President Lou Lamoriello said on Sunday that DeBoer is under contract for next season and he will return.
“There are a lot of rumors going on, a lot of misinformation about our coach,” Lamoriello said during a hastily called news conference after the first period of the Devils’ 3-2 win over Boston. “So, I’m going to step out of character and put this to rest.
“Pete DeBoer is under contract for next year, has been under contract for next year, and will be coaching next year. That’s all I have to say.”
The 45-year-old DeBoer led the Devils to the Stanley Cup finals in his first season as Devils coach in 2012. The Devils went 19-19-10 in the lockout-shortened season in 2013 and missed the playoffs this season with a 35-28-18 record, which included an 0-13 mark in shootouts.
“I am excited to be back,” DeBoer said after the game. “In my mind I think we have some unfinished business. I really felt if a few things had gone a little differently during the year we would still be playing. I am sure there a lot of teams are saying the same thing. I wish we were starting again next week.”
DeBoer indicated before the game that he didn’t know whether he would back. After the game, he didn’t specify when Lamoriello told him he would be return.
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