Paul Maurice explains why he stepped down as coach of the Winnipeg Jets

After close to eight years as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, Paul Maurice shocked many on Friday as he announced he was stepping down from the role. Following the announcement, Maurice have a press conference where he explained his reasoning behind the decision.

"This is a good team. I'm a good coach, but sometimes when you take over a team it's kind of like you're starting at the bottom of a mountain and you're pushing a rock up," Maurice said.

"You can only get it to certain place. That's where I feel I'm at."

The Jets' record this season isn't horrible at 13-10-5, but the team, on paper at least, should be doing much better. However, Maurice felt it was time for a change.

"And if you would allow me some arrogance, I would say I'm better positioned than anyone to know that they need a new voice," he said. "They haven't quit on me, they're a good bunch of men and I'm cheering for them, I am."

"If you lose some of that passion for the game, the love of the game, you can still be good, but you can't be as good as you could be or you should be, and that's how I feel I am," he said.

Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has announced Dave Lowry will take over the head coaching role with the team for the remainder of the season.

"(Maurice) definitely felt that he couldn't push the buttons, and we came to an agreement," said Cheveldayoff.

Source: CBC Manitoba

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