Coach Mac joined the Panthers prior to the
1995-1996 season. He worked together with Brian Murray at Detroit
and Washington. One of his first actions was, that he hired Terry
Carkner, at first an unliked move by many fans since Carkner replaced
retired fan favorite Keith Brown. Under Coach Mac the Panthers
changed their playing system to a version of the neutral zone trap,
and that paid off. In his first year as an NHL head coach, Doug
MacLean was named the head coach for the Eastern Conference
at the NHL All-Star game. He repeated this in the very next season.
In 1996-97 the Panthers had a stellar start but when trades and
injries disrupted the team Coach Mac got lucky that his team secured
the 4th spot in the East. What followed was an early playoff exit and
a horrendus start in the 97-98 season that ultimatly saw Doug MacLean being
fired. MacLean had a reputation for always being a down to earth
guy. In his first year as a Panther you could always see him coming
in his old, white Volvo with the Michigan license plate. He always
took time to sign autographs.
1998 All Rights Reserved by Recon Publishing Inc.. Contact for information! |
A
member of the coaching staff since their inaugural campaign
Lindy entered his 3rd year as a Panthers assistant. He signed
responsible for the special teams and defense. Under his tutorship
young defensemen Ed Jovanovski and Rhett Warrener developed
into strong contributors in 1995-96. Mr. Ruff played in the NHL
for 12 years. Before he was traded to the NY Rangers in 89 he
wore the "C" for the Buffalo Sabres. Too sad but Ruffy elected
to become the headcoach of his old team, the Sabres, prior to
the 1997-98 campaign. 
Bill Smith, a hockey Hall of Famer, was in his 3rd year with
the team. Smith played 18 seasons in the NHL, and won
four consecutive Stanley Cups with the Islanders at the
beginning of the 80's. Mr. Smith is known as one of the greates
clutch netminders and that he was slashing opposing forwards
that skated through his crease. In the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals
you could see John Vanbiesbrouck doing this twice when an
Avalanche player skated through the blue half moon, provoking
Johnny. Coach Smith is also responsible of developing the young
guns Kevin Weeks and the MacDonalds. 
Duane is one of six brothers that have played in the NHL. He entered
his 2nd season as an assistant with the Panthers in 95-96. Sutter
concentrated on the teams forwards and the powerplay. In 79 he
was drafted in the 1st round (17th overall) by the NY Islanders
and played on four consecutive Stanley Cup teams, being a teammate
of Billy Smith. Before coming to the Panthers Sutter was the
head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks' IHL affiliate.