Paul Theriault

{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey coach (1950–2024)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}}

{{Infobox person

|image =

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|image_size = 225px

|birth_date = {{birth year|1950}}

|birth_place = Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

|death_date = {{death date and given age|2024|01|03|73}}

|other_names =

|occupation = Ice hockey coach

|predecessor =

|successor =

}}

Paul Theriault (1950 – January 3, 2024) was a Canadian ice hockey coach. He served as an assistant coach in the National Hockey League with the Buffalo Sabres during the 1996–97 NHL season.

Theriault was the longest-serving coach in the history of the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He also served as an OHL head coach for both the Erie Otters and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.[http://www.saultthisweek.com/2010/12/15/tonights-the-night-for-paul-theriault Tonight's the night for Paul Theriault | Sault This Week] Theriault was awarded the 1986–87 Matt Leyden Trophy as the OHL Coach of the Year.

At the professional level, Theriault was an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres during the 1996–97 NHL season when Ted Nolan won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's Coach of the Year.[http://www.saultthisweek.com/2009/10/27/paul-theriault-in-command-has-soo-eagles-flying-smoothly Paul Theriault in command, has Soo Eagles flyin... | Sault This Week] He had also served as head coach for the Flint Spirits of the International Hockey League and the HC Asiago HC Alleghe and HC Varese of the Italian Serie A.[http://www.oshawaexpress.ca/viewposting.php?view=3113 Oshawa Express: Tribute to Turk golf tourney for skipper Paul Theriault]

Theriault died on January 3, 2024, at the age of 73.[https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/nhl/otters/2024/01/08/paul-theriault-who-coached-the-1998-99-erie-otters-dies-at-73/72138629007/ Former Erie Otters coach Paul Theriault dies at age 73]