FRISCO, Texas – Sources at the Dallas Stars headquarters have confirmed that GM Joe Nieuwendyk has made a decision and is expected to announce Texas Stars coach Glen Gulutzan as the team’s new head coach by week’s end. 
Gulutzan, 39, will replace Marc Crawford, who was fired by Nieuwendyk in April after two years behind the Dallas bench. Gulutzan was one of four known candidates, including Montreal Canadiens assistant coach Kirk Muller, Nashville Predators assistant coach Peter Horachek and former Dallas Stars head coach Ken Hitchcock, who interviewed for the position. Gulutzan has served as the head coach of the Texas Stars, the organization’s American Hockey League affiliate, for the past two seasons. During his tenure at Cedar Park, he has recorded an 87-56-7-10 (.597) record and a 16-14 mark in the playoffs. In the team’s inaugural season (2009-10), the Stars advanced to the Calder Cup Finals. As head coach of the Las Vegas Wranglers (ECHL) for six seasons, compiled a record of 254-124-55 (.650). During that time, the Wranglers had three straight 100+ point seasons, becoming the first ECHL team to ever accomplish that. He led the Wranglers to the Kelly Cup Finals in 2008 and the Western Conference Finals in 2009. He was the ECHL Coach of the Year in 2005-06. Contact the writer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
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