Pete DeBoer named new Islanders head coach, 'really excited' to work with Matthew Schaefer

DeBoer says Mathieu Darche 'sold me' on the Islanders job, looks to get team back into playoff position

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:35pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the chaotic energy of a hockey game, with sharp planes of navy, green, and red overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes hockey action as the Islanders fight to keep their playoff hopes alive under new head coach Pete DeBoer.NYC Today

Pete DeBoer has been named the new head coach of the New York Islanders, replacing Patrick Roy. DeBoer, who was previously let go by the Dallas Stars, says Islanders GM Mathieu Darche 'sold me' on the job and the organization's vision. DeBoer is particularly excited to work with rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who he believes is a generational talent.

Why it matters

The Islanders are in a tight playoff race, having lost four straight games and slipping in the standings. DeBoer, an experienced NHL coach, has been brought in to try to get the team back on track and into the postseason. His familiarity with the organization from his time with the Devils under Lou Lamoriello should help with a quick transition.

The details

DeBoer was contacted by Islanders GM Mathieu Darche late on Saturday night, shortly after the Islanders' fourth straight loss. Despite the unusual timing, just two weeks before the NHL offseason, DeBoer was convinced by Darche's pitch about the organization's vision and direction. DeBoer has a multi-year deal in place and will look to quickly instill some 'non-negotiables' like improved defensive zone coverage and line changes to try to get the Islanders back into a playoff position with four games left in the regular season.

  • DeBoer was contacted by Islanders GM Mathieu Darche late on Saturday night (April 5, 2026).
  • DeBoer was named the new Islanders head coach on Sunday afternoon (April 6, 2026).
  • DeBoer had his first practice with the Islanders on Monday (April 7, 2026).

The players

Pete DeBoer

A veteran NHL head coach who was previously let go by the Dallas Stars and spent the 2025-26 season working with Hockey Canada at the Winter Olympics. He has now been named the new head coach of the New York Islanders.

Mathieu Darche

The first-year general manager of the New York Islanders, who convinced DeBoer to take the head coaching job with the team.

Matthew Schaefer

The Islanders' rookie defenseman who DeBoer is 'really excited' to work with, describing him as a 'generational talent' who was within a 'razor' of making the Canadian Olympic team at age 18.

Patrick Roy

The former Islanders head coach who was shown the door after parts of three seasons with the team.

Lou Lamoriello

The former general manager and president of hockey operations for the New Jersey Devils, who brought over several staff members that DeBoer is familiar with from his time coaching the Devils.

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What they’re saying

“Mathieu Darche, he really sold me. I think when I first picked up the phone, my initial reaction was: We're two weeks away from the offseason. What's the rush? He sold me on the organization, and the vision, and the direction, and the ownership.”

— Pete DeBoer, New Islanders Head Coach

“He's special. I ran the defense at the Olympics for Team Canada, and I did a lot of scouting. The management group included me in all the selection meetings, so we watched very closely all the defensemen in the league, and honestly, I could not believe my eyes the first half of the year in what I was seeing from an 18-year-od. The maturity in his game and how dynamic he was. He was within a razor of being on the Olympic team at 18. So I'm really excited to work with him.”

— Pete DeBoer, New Islanders Head Coach

“I had never spent a season away from the game. When you do that, you get a little different perspective about how fortunate we are to do what we do, how great it is to be in the position we're in with four games left and a chance to be playing in the playoffs in less than two weeks. I don't take that for granted.”

— Pete DeBoer, New Islanders Head Coach

What’s next

DeBoer will look to quickly instill his system and get the Islanders back into a playoff position with just four games remaining in the regular season.

The takeaway

The Islanders have brought in an experienced and respected NHL coach in Pete DeBoer to try to salvage their playoff hopes this season. DeBoer's familiarity with the organization and excitement to work with young star Matthew Schaefer suggest he could be the right fit to turn the team around.