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Peter Laviolette Jr.American hockey coach and hockey player
Date of Birth: 07.12.1964
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Playing Career
- Coaching Beginnings
- NHL Coaching Career
- Stanley Cup Glory and International Success
- Post-Carolina Career
- Current Role
Early Life and Playing Career
Born and raised in the United States, Peter Laviolette embarked on a professional hockey career in 1982. He spent his playing days primarily in the American Hockey League (AHL) and International Hockey League (IHL). Despite a brief 12-game stint with the New York Rangers in 1988/1989, Laviolette played the majority of his career in the minor leagues.
Coaching Beginnings
In 1997, Laviolette transitioned to coaching and joined the Providence Bruins in the AHL. Under his guidance, the team claimed the regular season and playoff championships in 1998/1999. Laviolette's success earned him the prestigious Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the league's coach of the year.
NHL Coaching Career
Laviolette's breakthrough in the NHL came in 2000/2001 as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. He then went on to become the head coach of the New York Islanders in 2001. In his first season with the Islanders, he led the team to the playoffs after a seven-year absence.
Stanley Cup Glory and International Success
In 2003, Laviolette assumed the head coaching position for the Carolina Hurricanes. In his first full season with the team, he guided them to their first championship victory by winning the 2006 Stanley Cup. Following the triumph, he signed a five-year contract extension.
Laviolette also had significant international coaching experience. He represented the United States as a player in the 1988 and 1994 Olympics, and later served as an assistant coach in the 2004 World Cup and head coach in the 2004 and 2005 World Championships.
Post-Carolina Career
After parting ways with the Hurricanes in 2008, Laviolette found success with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2009 to 2013. He led the team to the playoffs in his first season and guided them to the conference finals in 2010. However, the Flyers failed to make the playoffs in 2013, and Laviolette was dismissed.
Current Role
Since 2014, Laviolette has served as the head coach of the Nashville Predators. He has established the team as a perennial playoff contender, leading them to three Presidents' Trophies as the NHL's regular season champions.
