Paul Maurice accepts coaching job with Kontinental Hockey League

Raleigh, NC, United States (AHN Sports) – Long-time National Hockey League (NHL) bench tactician Paul Maurice has taken on a new challenge when he accepted the offer to coach the Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

“Official as of ten minutes ago,” Maurice told espn.com via text message Friday. He signed a one-year deal with the Chelyabinsk-based team reportedly worth $2 million.

Maurice, who has a 15-year NHL coaching experience under his belt, will be reunited with his former Carolina Hurricanes goalie Tom Barrasso, who will serve as one of his assistants.

Maurice coached the Hartford Whalers, who later moved and became the Carolina Hurricanes, from 1995-96 to early in the 2003-04 season, when he was fired. The Hurricanes reached the Stanley Cup finals in 2001-02 but lost to the Detroit Red Wings.

He coached the Maple Leafs in 2006-07 and 2007-08, and was fired after the team missed the playoffs both seasons.

He was hired for a second stint with the Hurricanes in December 2008, and led the team to the Eastern Conference finals that season.

Last season, Maurice was fired for the second time by the Hurricanes this past season after posting an 8-13-4 record and replaced by Kirk Muller.

Maurice is the winningest coach in franchise history. His overall record as an NHL coach is 460-457-167.

On November 28, 201, Maurice became the youngest coach in NHL history to coach 1,000 games at age 43.

Magnitogorsk is captained by Sergei Fedorov, who won three Stanley Cup titles with the Detroit Red Wings.

He also played for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Columbus Blue Jackets, and lastly the Washington Capitals.

Fedorov played over 1,200 NHL contests and set a record for most goals by a Russian-born player with 474 on October 25, 2008. He finished his NHL career with 483 goals.

In his three years with Magnitogorsk, the 42-year-old Fedorov has scored 22 goals.

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