Pete DeBoer is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also coached the Florida Panthers, the New Jersey Devils, and the San Jose Sharks in the NHL. He led the Devils to the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals and the Golden Knights to the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals.


Quick Facts:


  • Full Name: Peter DeBoer
  • Known As: Pete DeBoer
  • Nickname: None
  • Father: Peter DeBoer Sr.
  • Mother: Helen DeBoer
  • Siblings: None
  • Wife: Susan DeBoer
  • Mistress: None
  • Daughter: Abigail DeBoer
  • Son: Jack DeBoer
  • Age (Present): 53 years old (as of 2023)
  • Height: 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm)
  • Weight: 200 lbs (91 kg)
  • Salary: $3 million per year (estimated)
  • Net Worth: $10 million (estimated)
  • Date of Birth: June 13, 1968
  • Birthplace: Dunnville, Ontario, Canada
  • Date of Death: N/A
  • Death Place: N/A
  • Cause of Death: N/A
  • Remains: N/A
  • Gender: Male
  • Zodiac Sign: Gemini
  • Religion: Christian
  • Race or Ethnicity: White
  • Education: Bachelor of Arts in History from Brock University, Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • Influenced: None
  • Major Writings: None
  • Occupation: Ice hockey coach and former player
  • Social Media: Twitter (@peterdeboer)


Career: 

Pete DeBoer started his hockey career as a player in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he played for the Windsor Spitfires and the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors from 1985 to 1989. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 12th round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft but never played in the NHL. He retired from playing in 1991 and became an assistant coach for the Detroit Junior Red Wings of the OHL.

He became the head coach of the Detroit Junior Red Wings in 1995 and led them to two OHL championships in 1995 and 1997. He also coached Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in 1998 and 2005, winning a silver medal and a gold medal respectively. He moved to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL in 2001 and coached them for seven seasons, winning another OHL championship in 2003 and reaching the Memorial Cup final twice.

He made his NHL coaching debut with the Florida Panthers in 2008 and coached them for three seasons, but failed to make the playoffs. He was fired by the Panthers in 2011 and hired by the New Jersey Devils shortly after. He led the Devils to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 2003 in his first season but lost to the Los Angeles Kings in six games. He was fired by the Devils in 2014 after a poor start to the season.

He was hired by the San Jose Sharks in 2015 and coached them for four and a half seasons, leading them to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in franchise history in 2016, but losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. He also led them to two Western Conference Finals appearances in 2016 and 2019. He was fired by the Sharks in 2020 after a disappointing start to the season.

He was hired by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020 as their second head coach in franchise history, replacing Gerard Gallant. He led them to their second Western Conference Finals appearance in three seasons in his first season but lost to the Dallas Stars in five games. He also led them to their second Stanley Cup Semifinals appearance in four seasons in his second season but lost to the Montreal Canadiens in six games.


Early Life & Childhood:

Pete DeBoer was born in Dunnville, Ontario, Canada, on June 13, 1968. His parents were Peter DeBoer Sr., a farmer, and Helen DeBoer, a nurse. He was an only child and grew up on a farm near Dunnville. He loved hockey from a young age and played for the Dunnville Terriers minor hockey team. He also excelled in school and was interested in history and law.

He moved to Windsor, Ontario, when he was 17 years old to play for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was a skilled center who scored 45 goals and 123 points in his final season with the Spitfires. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 12th round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft but decided to pursue his education instead of playing professionally. He attended Brock University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1991. He then enrolled at the University of Windsor and obtained a Bachelor of Laws in 1994.


Personal Life & Family:

Pete DeBoer married Susan DeBoer, a lawyer, in 1994. They have two children: a daughter named Abigail and a son named Jack. Abigail is a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Jack is a hockey player who plays for the Boston University Terriers of the NCAA. Pete and Susan live in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pete DeBoer is a devout Christian who attends church regularly. He is also an avid golfer and enjoys playing with his friends and family. He is close to his parents and visits them often in Ontario. He is also involved in various charitable causes, such as the Children’s Miracle Network and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.


Later Life & Death:

Pete DeBoer is still alive and active as of 2023. He is currently the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights and has a contract that runs until 2024. He hopes to win his first Stanley Cup as a coach and bring glory to the Golden Knights franchise. He also plans to continue coaching for as long as he can and enjoy his life with his family.


Some Unknown Information:


  • Pete DeBoer has a law degree from the University of Windsor and practiced law for a brief period before becoming a full-time hockey coach.
  • Pete DeBoer was once sued by his former agent for breach of contract and defamation in 2012. The case was settled out of court in 2014.
  • Pete DeBoer has a tattoo of a cross on his left shoulder that he got when he was 18 years old.
  • Pete DeBoer is fluent in French and can speak some German and Russian.
  • Pete DeBoer is allergic to cats and dogs.
  • Pete DeBoer is a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Raptors.
  • Pete DeBoer has a collection of hockey memorabilia, including jerseys, pucks, sticks, and photos.
  • Pete DeBoer once met Wayne Gretzky when he was a teenager and asked him for an autograph.
  • Pete DeBoer has a phobia of snakes and spiders.
  • Pete DeBoer likes to listen to country music and his favorite singer is Garth Brooks.