For quite some time now, Vegas Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer has been quite underrated when it comes to discussing some of the best head coaches in the game. But Golden Knights RW Keegan Kolesar recently heaped praise on his head coach.
Prior to joining the Golden Knights during the 2019-20 season, DeBoer spent time as a head coach with the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils and the San Jose Sharks. Though his seasons with the Panthers were nothing remarkable, he was able to lead both the Devils and Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final, though he ultimately fell short with both teams.
In his first two and a half seasons with the Golden Knights, he has helped them be a very successful team, and that is no different in 2021-22. Despite this he continues to be underrated, though his players know just how good of a coach he is. On Thursday, Keegan Kolesar raved about how good his bench boss has been in helping him with his development.
“He’s been great for me,” Kolesar said about DeBoer. “I had him at the start of my career here. He’s been fair to me, given me lots of opportunity, given me lots of feedback. I’m trying to be a sponge and absorb everything I can from him.”
These comments from Kolesar, who has 17 points in 50 games and plays primarily on the fourth line, proves that DeBoer truly cares about every player on his team and isn’t one to favor star talent. This goes a long way in gaining respect in the dressing room and shows why DeBoer has been successful for a head coach this long. Perhaps this is the season he is finally able to get his hands on the Stanley Cup and gets the recognition he deserves as one of the NHL’s best.
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