RALEIGH — Former Carolina Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette, fired by the team Wednesday, held a press conference Friday afternoon at Rey's Restaurant.
He thanked the media, the community, the players, the organization and the fans, and appeared relaxed.
Wearing his Stanley Cup championship ring, he said he'd always take that experience with him.
“You can take a capsule of greatness. Those are the experiences that should be cherished and you should hang on to.
"If you think about just some of the amazing things that happened during that run: the tailgating, the unity in the building, the people standing up, the come-from-behind wins, come-from-behind series, the way the community, the fans, the team, everybody embraced it, embodied it, and truly it was just a moment in time where it was special.
"It’s one that I will take with me as the dust settles from getting removed from a job. I certainly will take many, many good memories with me.”
After that Stanley Cup year, which was his first full season with Carolina, Laviolette missed the playoffs twice and started this season 12-11-2.
When asked if he had any regrets, he said: "I haven’t really thought like that. Obviously it’s dissapointing when things don’t go the way you want them to go. It’s dissapointing for everybody.
"For me to sit here and tell you that I’m happy I’m fired or I’m happy that the team is in eighth place. You want to be better. You want to be the best. You’re always disappointed about that and you want to do better.”
On whether he was treated fairly by the team, Laviolette said: “I have no complaints. I don’t hold grudges. I understand coaching. And I understand professional sports. Like I said, you can sit here, and that’s why I don’t get into too many questions, you can sit here, and they could sit there, and they didn’t. And they could tell you all my faults, and they didn’t.
"It’s just not worth it. I enjoyed it here. I enjoyed my time and I take with me just a tremendous experience.”
Javier Serna has covered sports for The News & Observer since 2007. He previously covered growth for the North Raleigh News, and sports at The Truth in Elkhart, Ind. E-mail 
Comments
Enforcers
Sun, 12/07/2008 - 12:08 — CassiusKingBest of luck Pete. Thanks for the memories. Wherever you go, please try to conjure up the will to believe taht you need to protect your squad with a decent enforcer. It works every time it is tried.
Mike!
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 04:03 — CanesRBoringTell Mike I said hey and I miss the late night drinking parties!!
The Fall Guy
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 21:28 — CanesRBoringIf Lav had the proper support from management with some size and top-tier talent from the player roster, he would still be here and continuing his most wins as an American born NHL hockey coach and I would [can't believe I would admit it..:P] be a big fan.
I say the CanesRboring, but Lav never was. He was always into the game with loads of emotion. I always loved watching his vein bulge from his forehead with that menacing grimace when he was talking politics with the refs. I always felt in sync with that kind of "pissed-off" attitude that I have with this team.
He was the fall guy for inept management, just like labor is always to blame for a company's problems. He is probably better off leaving this organization. Maybe he will get some real support for his puck pursuit style of play.
By the way, you all know Mo's record right? Compare that with Lav!
I almost hate to say it
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 02:17 — Nico37But I hate they finally called up Conboy AFTER Lavi got fired, you know? SEX-AY ;-)...
C'mon 'celebutantes' - do your part! Wait - what ...yawn...yeah OK, see you in *yawn* 2017...:)
OK, I'll say this much... "It looks good on YOU, you media sluts!!!" ENJOY!
Gracias!!!
PS Commodore says "hi" - in his own way, heh. Seriously, what a cool guy. All the best to him.
NOT ME
Sun, 12/07/2008 - 00:43 — Nico37I just saw this - I don't know who is using the same name as me but I did NOT write this nonsensical comment! Whoever is using the same name as me & writing stupid stuff please STOP.
'They'? called up Conboy?
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 07:18 — GENOI think that Mo did. Lavs was a good coach but the 'no fighting' policy of years past and keeping Seidenberg in the press box last year cost the team. Now it's evident the Canes need a true enforcer that greatly contributed to problems of IR players.
Mike
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 04:05 — CanesRBoringMeant to put it in replies:
But tell Mike I said Hi and I miss the late night drinking parties??
Thanks coach
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 20:35 — crazyjoedavolaClassy to the end. No mention of the endless stream of injuries or other negative factors which affected the team's performance. It's too bad a couple of the players couldn't have been fired instead of the coach. (Brind'Amour, the "captain" who says nothing, does less, and leads the NHL with a -20 would be at the top of my list. Seems like he retired with pay after he won the Cup).
Is there any doubt that Laviolette will be successful in his next venture?
I'll admit that Brind'Amour
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 21:18 — CanarseI'll admit that Brind'Amour has been subpar this year. Ok...really subpar. But to say he's been bagging it since the cup is ignorant. In '06-'07 Brind'Amour was over a point per game. Up until his injury last year he was at .86 points per game.
I'm all for stating the truth, but the guy is all about effort. Unfortunately, it appears his body isn't cooperating.
Agree
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 09:52 — wxray1Brindy does not "bag it". Something is wrong. I know he makes 20x+ $$ more than most fans, but it is not his nature to sand bag. Something is wrong... Maybe even his pairings. Maybe his injury, maybe luck, maybe something we don't know.
Anyway, good luck Lavy! We'll meet again, somehow, someway. You provided all the right ingredients for us fans to have a lifetime experience too! Here's hoping you can repeat that... maybe with the Canes. Who knows???
I agree that in his past he
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 15:33 — crazyjoedavolaI agree that in his past he didn't "bag" it. But is it just a coincidence the team played it's best hockey last year when he was hurt?
Shouldn't a captain step up and say something when half the team is lagging it every night? Especially when the coach's job is on the line?
If he's hurt, let him take a seat and recover. I suppose looking at his -20, which is twice as bad as anyone else on the team, is ignorant? He's killing us right now.
PS
He shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a powerplay.
Criticizing Brind'Amour's
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 15:57 — CanarseCriticizing Brind'Amour's play this year is a lot different than saying he "retired" after winning the cup. That statement was ignroant.
Thanks, Lavi
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 20:04 — Nico37Thank you for the wonderful memories you gave hockey fans here. Something tells me it will be a looooooooooooong time before the Canes achieve the level of 05-06 success again ;-)
Thank you
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 20:00 — AN0NYM0USYou've been a class act from the beginning to the end. We are grateful for all you have done for our team, our fans, and our community. We will miss you and wish you the very best in whatever you do in the future. You're a special person and a special coach--and we are lucky to have had you here as our coach in Carolina.
times change
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 17:16 — HockeydogWhen the Canes won the Cup, it was because the players and coach Laviolette were a perfect match for the changing face of the NHL. How many teams have never won the Cup? Our team did because of Lavi's hard charging style. Times have changed and, at least for this team, Laviolette's style no longer worked. Best of luck to you Mr Laviolette. And look out NHL if you land with a team that suits your hard charging style!
Happy trails, Peter. Your
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 16:57 — PDS2006Happy trails, Peter. Your name, face and legacy will live on here forever - along with that big banner in the rafters. You were a major part of that and people here will not forget it.
Bonne chance!
So long coach...
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 16:24 — jgrant641It's sad to see you leave Raleigh, but as we all know this isn't always goodbye forever. In five years from now you could be back.
While many called for your job last year and this past summer, I felt you would still be here for much longer, and prove them all wrong. The parity in the league and too many injuries seemed to land on your shoulders and one man can only carry that but so long.
I have a lot of respect for both you and Coach Mo, and know that our success in the future going forward will have to show some credit to the team you helped mold.
The next team you lead will be lucky to have you, and whom ever it is, please not Buffalo of Detroit!!! ;)
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Fri, 12/05/2008 - 16:19 — SunHe probably is relaxed knowing this team isn't his problem anymore!!
THANK YOU LAVI!!!
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 16:14 — SunFor all you did for this team, this community & the sport of hockey in NC!!
Very classy to say goodbye publicly this way.
I'll always have great memories of that special season. I wish you much success with your next team! :-)
I agree Wylde4canes
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 16:11 — esteban1949it is written somewhere by someone that nice guys finish last. Maybe in the big,bad world that maybe & sadly true. But i like am thankful for his time,energy and efforts...as well as the cup. Yet I am hoping he'll land somewhere and get who ever he is leading turned around and in contention, so that one day we can watch the Lavi vs Mo or who ever event and turn it into a mother loving, no holds katie bar the door, knock down, drag out defencing game where no matter who won, everybody would walk,limp or waddle off happy and content that everyone on both side gave 1000% and were still pleased. And the fans refused to leave long after both teams left the ice. sigh...and people in hell want ice water too huh ?
Go Canes !!
Lavi
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 15:49 — wylde4canesWherever you end up, I appreciate the up tempo game you brought. O yea and the stanley cup was nice too.
I admit I was amongst those who thought it was your time maybe, but if i had known who they would replace you with, I would have never even given it a thought.........