The Dallas Stars have appointed a familiar face as their head coach, with Glen Gulutzan returning more than a decade after his first stint with the franchise.
The move comes just two weeks after the franchise parted ways with Pete DeBoer following three straight losses in the Western Conference Finals, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Gulutzan now returns to Dallas after serving as an assistant coach with the Oilers, where he spent the last seven seasons, helping guide the team to back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Gulutzan previously served as the Stars’ head coach from 2011 to 2013 during a transitional phase for the franchise, compiling a 64-57-9 record but missing the playoffs both seasons and being dismissed in May 2013, according to The NHL.
Following his dismissal, Gulutzan served in assistant roles for the Vancouver Canucks and Oilers, while also working as the Head Coach for the Calgary Flames. He gained a reputation for his work on special teams and in player development.
“My family and I are excited to come back to Texas where I started my NHL coaching journey more than a decade ago. Jim and his staff have built a roster that is one of the most talented and deepest in the entire league,” wrote Gulutzan in a statement, per The NHL.
“The right pieces are in place to compete for the Stanley Cup on a yearly basis. I’m ready to get to Dallas and start the preparation for next season.”
Stars General Manager Jim Nill also spoke about the decision, which was based on a combination of his growth as a coach and his ability to work with players.
“His extensive NHL experience, both as a head coach and assistant coach, speaks to his ability to innovate and adapt to the modern game, as well as build relationships with his players,” wrote Nill, as reported by The NHL.
“Glen has worked with some of the best players in the world and continually found ways to maximize their skill sets to contribute to team success. We have full confidence that he is the right person to elevate our team to the next level.”
The Stars also announced that Neil Graham, former head coach of the AHL’s Texas Stars, will join Gulutzan’s staff as an assistant.
Graham has led Dallas’ top affiliate to a record of 183-140-40 across the 363 regular-season games while also leading the team to the Calder Cup Playoffs in all four of his seasons.
Nill also addressed this signing and said the team is “pleased to have the opportunity to add Neil” to the coaching staff, noting that he has shown an ability to lead and a commitment to growth.
“Neil has spent over a decade as part of the Dallas Stars organization behind the bench in Texas and Idaho proving at every level his ability to coach. His hockey acumen has made him one of the most sought-after young coaches in professional hockey,” he stated, per The NHL.
These hires come as the Stars are in the midst of a critical offseason, with the franchise making multiple moves to help keep the team in contention and potentially move them past the Western Conference Finals.
Dallas finished the 2024–25 regular season with a record of 50-26-6, though yet another loss in the Western Conference Finals raised questions about whether this team can compete without significant changes.
Although the franchise is currently dealing with salary cap concerns, the team has managed to retain key players, such as veteran forward Matt Duchene and captain Jamie Benn, as previously reported by DX.
The team will now look to bounce back with a new face at head coach, though nothing is guaranteed when competing in a competitive Western Conference.