The Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced on Monday they have fired coach Peter DeBoer after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in its brief NHL history.

McCrimmon in a news release:  “We would like to thank Pete DeBoer for his commitment to the Vegas Golden Knights over the past three seasons. Since joining the organization, Pete and his staff have guided us through some of the most unique and challenging circumstances we’ve witnessed since our franchise entered the NHL.  After lengthy discussions over the last two weeks, we believe that a new coach will put us in the best position to succeed next season.”

DeBoer, 53, led the Golden Knights to a 43-31-8 record this past season and a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference’s Pacific division. Under DeBoer, the Golden Knights played their inaugural season in 2016-18, going 98-50-12 in three seasons. The veteran coach replaced former Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant during the 2019-20 campaign; he previously coached the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks.

The Golden Knights won their division in three of their first four seasons, losing in the Stanley Cup playoffs semifinals in 2021 and in the Western Conference finals in 2020. They reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2018, but lost in five games to the Washington Capitals.

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