Paul Maurice reveals what he said to the Stanley Cup after waiting 26 years to win it

Paul Maurice has been known to be funny with reporters and generally not take himself too seriously.

So maybe it’s not that surprising that after 26 years coaching NHL teams — from Hartford (yes, that’s how long he’s been around) to Carolina (twice) to the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Winnipeg Jets — he’d have something to say to the Stanley Cup.

Yes, I’m serious. ESPN caught the Florida Panthers head coach just as he got to hoist the Cup, and he said something to it before his big lift.

So what did he say?

“Oh, I’ve been chasing that for a while, unkind words about how hard she was to catch,” he told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.

A beautiful moment, and the emotions Maurice went through all night were a part of all of his interviews:

Paul Maurice gets the Cup mid-interview and then gives one of the most heartfelt interviews you will ever see pic.twitter.com/gMxHW4aL7U

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 25, 2024

“It’s for my mom and dad in Sault Ste. Marie. Hey dad, your name is going on the Cup with Beliveau, Richard, Howe, and Maurice.”

Congrats Paul Maurice! pic.twitter.com/CVsUceORHb

— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) June 25, 2024

Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice joined @notthefakeSVP and reflected on the journey of chasing the Stanley Cup pic.twitter.com/DGwzLxNSqn

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 25, 2024