Peter DeBoer is known for his strategic mind, but the night before a crucial Game 7, arguably the most successful do-or-die coach in North American sports history might be choosing a movie rather than pouring over game film. While opponents might imagine him fueled by coffee, intensely reviewing every detail, DeBoer`s preparation for Game 7 is less about last-minute cramming and more about a process that`s been refined over years.
His approach isn`t solely focused on the final game. It`s a culmination of careful planning, adapting over time, and fundamentally, how he interacts with his players and empowers his coaching staff. DeBoer understands the importance of stepping back, allowing his assistants to work effectively without constant oversight.
His core philosophy for high-pressure games is straightforward: Be thoughtful, but avoid overthinking. As DeBoer puts it, players benefit from concentrating on just a few key objectives. Too much information can create confusion and slow down their reactions.
Despite holding a law degree, George Peter DeBoer chose the path of coaching, a career where he has consistently prevailed in winner-take-all situations.
With an impressive 8-0 career record in Game 7s, DeBoer has the opportunity to extend this streak to 9-0 if the Dallas Stars defeat the Colorado Avalanche. A win would not only propel the Stars forward but would also make DeBoer the sole NHL leader in Game 7 victories, surpassing his current tie with Darryl Sutter.
Leading up to such a game, DeBoer focuses on hockey only to a certain extent. Once that mental threshold is reached, his mind shifts to finding normalcy, perhaps by watching a movie – action, comedy, drama, or romance – before attempting the extraordinary once again.
Reflecting on his remarkable Game 7 record, DeBoer expresses pride and gratitude, acknowledging the immense effort from his players and the invaluable work of his coaching staffs, who he believes often don`t receive enough recognition.
The word “trust” frequently comes up when discussing Peter DeBoer, according to Chandler Stephenson, a player who has experienced DeBoer`s coaching firsthand. Stephenson highlights trust as a key factor in DeBoer`s success in Game 7s and his standing as one of the top head coaches in the current NHL generation.
DeBoer`s ability to achieve quick success is another notable trait. In each of his initial seasons guiding a team to the playoffs, that team has reached the conference finals. This was a factor when the Vegas Golden Knights hired him mid-season in 2019-20. Stephenson, a player on that Golden Knights team, recalls how effectively DeBoer communicated his strategies and expectations to the players, making them feel understood and confident.
“Game 7s are Game 7s,” says Stephenson, now with the Seattle Kraken. “Everyone brings their best.” But for DeBoer, success stems from belief in his system and his ability to instill that confidence in his players, making them feel good about their game. Stephenson adds that beyond being a great coach, DeBoer is also deeply human.
This humanity is evident in the close relationships his family shares with his coaching staff. For instance, his children affectionately refer to assistant coach Steve Spott and his wife Lisa as “Uncle Steve” and “Aunt Lisa.” Spott and DeBoer`s working relationship dates back to 1997 in the OHL and continued in different leagues before they reunited with the San Jose Sharks in 2015.
Abby DeBoer recounts how their families shared meals, Christmases, and Thanksgivings. Peter`s oldest son, Jack, describes Spott and Lisa as his brother`s godparents and mentions his close friendship with their son. This familial bond, Jack believes, fosters respect among the staff, which translates to success on the ice, including those Game 7 wins.
The DeBoer family also has a strong connection with assistant coach Misha Donskov and his wife, Amy. Donskov worked with DeBoer in Vegas and joined the Stars last season, also coaching with him on Team Canada. Stars forward Jason Robertson emphasizes that the team`s success is a collective effort, involving the entire coaching staff and team leaders. He notes that DeBoer`s teams often have a strong veteran presence, which aids preparation. Robertson credits Donskov, Spott, and assistant coach Alain Nasreddine for their excellent work in preparing players.
Stars captain Jamie Benn, who has been through two Game 7 wins with DeBoer (vs. Kraken in 2023, vs. Golden Knights in 2024), highlights DeBoer`s thorough preparation. Benn says DeBoer gathers extensive notes throughout the series, providing players with a comprehensive understanding of what`s needed to advance. Regardless of the opponent, Benn notes, DeBoer prepares his players with a level of detail that instills a feeling of being set up for success. Benn adds that DeBoer`s track record itself is a confidence booster, and he encourages players to “have fun and play” their system with attention to detail.
Jason Robertson admits he wasn`t initially aware of DeBoer`s Game 7 record before playing the Kraken, but knowing that history provided extra confidence heading into the Game 7 against the Golden Knights. Chandler Stephenson reflects on facing his former coach in that Game 7, understanding that DeBoer`s effective system was now benefiting the opposing team, highlighting its quality.
Conversations with those close to DeBoer reveal his skill in balancing his roles as a coach and a human being, creating a sense of ease even when the season hangs in the balance. Is this the secret to his eight straight Game 7 wins, or could it be a superstition, like his habit of wearing a three-piece suit, often dubbed the “three-Pete suit,” for these critical games?
DeBoer once jokingly shared an anecdote about a former video coach asking him not to wear the suit against his new team, who were fighting for a playoff spot. DeBoer complied, but his team won anyway. He concedes, however, that there`s a subconscious element to wearing the suit in Game 7s, tied to the confidence he wants to project to his team. “Players really read off you,” he explains, and maintaining composure and quiet confidence is crucial in do-or-die situations.
NHL broadcasts often show coaches intensely focused or actively engaged, potentially giving the impression that they are unapproachable or consumed by hockey. Abby DeBoer shares that her friends were sometimes nervous about meeting her dad, expecting a stern figure in a suit. But upon getting to know him, they discover he`s someone who enjoys life and connects easily with people, from his children`s friends to his staff and players. Abby emphasizes that her father doesn`t need to be the loudest voice; he values conversation, feedback, and collaboration.
Interestingly, DeBoer`s children mention that he rarely discusses his job in detail with them, especially Game 7s. His sons joke that they might only get a couple of questions answered before he shifts to a different topic. Matt DeBoer, a junior forward in college hockey, wishes he could hear more about his dad`s work but respects his father`s preference to “keep hockey at the rink,” particularly for Game 7s. Matt describes his dad as calm, someone who doesn`t like talking about himself or rink matters at home, preferring to watch a movie or discuss his sons` hockey lives.
When asked about his Game 7 success, DeBoer is quick to credit others: good fortune, assistants who put players at ease, and strong team leaders. He believes that by Game 7, his team has a clear understanding of how to execute based on lessons learned throughout the series.
DeBoer also acknowledges the advantage of playing at home in many of his Game 7 wins. Six of his eight victories occurred on home ice, with one in the Edmonton bubble where his team was designated the home team. He strongly believes home ice, while perhaps less critical earlier in a series, becomes a significant advantage in a Game 7.
With a 17-year NHL coaching career, DeBoer`s impressive résumé includes 662 regular-season wins (17th all time) and 91 playoff victories (eighth in NHL history). His time in Dallas has seen the Stars reach consecutive Western Conference finals, and a win against the Avalanche would keep them on track for a third straight appearance, possibly leading to the franchise`s second Stanley Cup and DeBoer`s first.
As the playoffs advance, there`s a chance DeBoer could find himself in another Game 7. Asked why his teams don`t close out series in five or six games more often, he laughs, acknowledging the irony. “I get all this credit for winning Game 7s, but I`ve lost a lot of series in Games 4, 5 and 6 too over the years,” he says, adding humbly, “You`re never as smart as you think you are.”
