Peter Laviolette facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Peter Laviolette
Laviolette in 2014
Born	(1964-12-07) December 7, 1964 (age 60) Franklin, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position	Defense
Shot	Left
Played for	New York Rangers
Coached for	New York Islanders Carolina Hurricanes Philadelphia Flyers Nashville Predators Washington Capitals New York Rangers
National team	United States
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Playing career	1986–1997
Coaching career	1997–present

Peter Philip Laviolette Jr. (born December 7, 1964) is an American professional ice hockey coach and a former player. He has coached many teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), including the New York Rangers. As a player, he played 12 games for the Rangers during the 1988–89 season.

Laviolette is one of the most successful American-born coaches in NHL history. He led the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship in 2006. He also took two other teams, the Philadelphia Flyers (2010) and the Nashville Predators (2017), to the Stanley Cup Finals. This makes him one of only four coaches in NHL history to lead three different teams to the finals.

In October 2021, Laviolette became the American-born coach with the most wins in the NHL. By March 2024, he had won 800 games, a milestone only seven other coaches had reached.

Laviolette grew up in Franklin, Massachusetts, where he played hockey and baseball in high school. He later played college hockey at Westfield State College.

Playing Career

As a player, Laviolette was a defenceman. He spent most of his 10-year career playing in minor leagues. He had a brief time in the NHL, playing 12 games for the New York Rangers in the 1988–89 season.

Even though his NHL playing time was short, Laviolette had the honor of representing the United States. He played for the U.S. team in two Olympic Games, in 1988 and 1994.

Coaching Career

Laviolette coaching the Philadelphia Flyers in April 2012

After his playing career ended, Laviolette quickly moved into coaching. He started with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL. He then coached the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL). In 1999, he led them to a Calder Cup championship and was named the AHL's Coach of the Year.

His success earned him a job as an assistant coach for the Boston Bruins. He hoped to become their head coach but left when he didn't get the job.

New York Islanders

In 2001, Laviolette became the head coach of the New York Islanders. The team had not made the playoffs in seven years. Laviolette turned the team around, leading them to the playoffs in both of his seasons there. However, the team lost in the first round each time. He was let go by the team in 2003.

Carolina Hurricanes

Laviolette joined the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2003–04 season. In his second full season, he led the team to a fantastic record and a division title. That same year, he coached the U.S. Olympic hockey team.

In the 2006 playoffs, the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup for the first time ever. It was a huge victory for the team and for Laviolette, who became the fourth American-born coach to win the championship. After this big win, the team struggled with injuries and missed the playoffs in the following seasons. Laviolette was fired by the Hurricanes in December 2008.

Philadelphia Flyers

In December 2009, Laviolette took over as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. In his first season, he led the team on an amazing playoff run. They came back from a 3–0 series deficit against the Boston Bruins to win the series. They made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals but lost to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Laviolette was known for his passionate coaching style. During a game in 2012, he got into a heated argument with the opposing coach, even breaking a hockey stick against the boards. His intense speeches in the locker room became famous, and fans loved his "bring the jam" attitude. After a slow start to the 2013–14 season, the Flyers fired Laviolette.

Nashville Predators

In 2014, Laviolette became the second-ever head coach of the Nashville Predators. He brought a new, faster style of play to the team. In 2017, he led the Predators on an incredible journey to the Stanley Cup Finals. They entered the playoffs as the lowest-seeded team but beat the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks.

The Predators reached the finals for the first time in their history but lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the following seasons, the team continued to be successful, winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2018 for the best regular-season record. However, after a slump in the 2019–20 season, Laviolette was let go.

Washington Capitals

Laviolette was named head coach of the Washington Capitals in September 2020. He coached the team for three seasons, making the playoffs in his first two years. After the Capitals missed the playoffs in the 2022–23 season, he and the team decided to part ways.

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers hired Laviolette as their head coach on June 13, 2023. In his first season, he led the Rangers to win the Presidents' Trophy for the best record in the league. This made him the first coach in NHL history to take six different teams to the playoffs. The next season, the Rangers did not make the playoffs, and Laviolette was fired on April 19, 2025.

International Coaching

In addition to his NHL career, Laviolette has coached the United States men's national team. He was named head coach for the team in February 2020.

Personal Life

Laviolette and his wife, Kristen, have three children: two sons and a daughter. His oldest son, Peter Laviolette III, also plays hockey. He plays for the Wheeling Nailers, the same team where his father began his coaching career.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International

Head Coaching Record

Awards and Honors