Glen Gulutzan Returns to Dallas Stars as Head Coach
FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Stars have announced the return of Glen Gulutzan as their head coach, marking his return twelve years after being fired from his first stint with the team.
General Manager Jim Nill made the announcement this Tuesday, confirming that Gulutzan replaces Peter DeBoer, who was fired after the team’s elimination in the Western Conference final.
In 2013, firing Gulutzan was one of Nill’s first decisions upon taking office.Gulutzan, who will turn 54 in August, coached the Stars from 2011 to 2013, achieving a record of 64-57-9 and failing to qualify for the playoffs in both seasons. He was hired to replace Marc Crawford after coaching the Stars’ AHL affiliate team for two seasons and the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL for six.
Returns to Dallas after spending the last seven seasons as an assistant with the Edmonton Oilers, including the last two that culminated in trips to the Stanley Cup Final.
After being fired by the Stars in 2013, Gulutzan became an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks under John Tortorella and Willie Desjardins before being hired by the Calgary Flames in 2016 as head coach. He remained there for two seasons, qualifying for the playoffs once, before being replaced.
Gulutzan became an assistant coach with the Oilers for seven seasons under four different coaches. He maintained a good relationship with star center Connor McDavid and ran the team’s power play, which was No. 1 in the NHL (26.8% conversion rate) during his time in Edmonton.
The Oilers’ general manager, Stan Bowman, hinted at the hiring in his end-of-season press conference by saying he didn’t want to announce anything regarding Gulutzan.
