Citing the need for a new voice behind the bench, Paul Maurice has resigned as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets.

Maurice, who was hired by the hockey club on January 12th, 2014, replacing Claude Noel, made the announcement this morning.

The 54-year-old was in his 9th season behind the Jets bench and was 315-223-62 in 600 games.

The Jets are in fifth place in the NHL’s Central Division with a 13-10-5 record and will face the Washington Capitals tonight at Canada Life Centre.

Winnipeg assistant and former Brandon Wheat Kings head coach Dave Lowry will take over on an interim basis.

The Jets qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs the past four seasons and reached the Western Conference final in 2018.

Winnipeg was swept by the Montreal Canadiens in round two of the playoffs last season.

Maurice, who spent 24 years behind the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Jets bench, is sixth in NHL history with 775 wins.


photo courtesy Ray Peters