(Sports Network) - The Florida Panthers filled their head- coaching vacancy on Friday, naming Peter DeBoer to the post. DeBoer, who becomes the 10th bench boss in franchise history, spent the last seven years as head coach of the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. This past season, he led his team to an OHL title and the Memorial Cup final, where it fell to Spokane in five-games.

"I am very excited about getting the opportunity to coach the Florida Panthers," said DeBoer. "I am looking forward to the challenge of guiding this franchise back to the playoffs and to putting a team on the ice that our fans in South Florida can be proud of."

The 40-year-old also coached with Detroit and Plymouth in the OHL from 1995-2001.

Florida finished 38-35-9 in 2007-08, third place in the Southeast Division but were left out of the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

"Peter was our top candidate to fill the coaching vacancy and we are very pleased that he has decided to join our organization," said Panthers general manager Jacques Martin. "He is a great hockey mind who will guide our team to the next level. He has been very successful in the junior ranks and I am confident that he will help our franchise accomplish its goals."

Although lacking in NHL experience, one feather in DeBoer's cap as he goes behind the Florida bench is that he coached forwards Greg Campbell, Stephen Weiss and prospect Mike Duco in juniors.















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