CEDAR PARK, Texas — The Texas Stars of the American Hockey League are beginning their inaugural run for the coveted Calder Cup. The brand spanking new team is coached by Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan native Glen Gulutzan, who comes to Texas after six successful seasons coaching the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL. The team will play its home games in the Austin suburb of Cedar Park, Texas in the recently completed Cedar Park Center.
Head Coach Glen Gulutzan
He also played two pro seasons in Europe (Finland and Sweden) and six seasons with the Fresno Falcons in the ECHL. In 1996-97, he set a team record with 80 assists and 110 points in 60 games.
Gulutzan noted that there are some differences between the ECHL and AHL.
“The size, speed and conditioning of the players at this level are probably the biggest difference that I see,” Gulutzan said. “There’s lots of good little hockey players at the ECHL level that have been playing the game all their lives and have lots of savvy, but the ability of these big men (in the AHL) to play at a real high tempo with strength and intelligence makes a difference. Players at the lower levels make the same plays, but they don’t make them at this speed.”
From a coaching perspective, this presents Gulutzan with some challenges.
“Hockey is hockey,” Gulutzan said. “But after playing some exhibition games, I noticed how much better other (AHL) teams are prepared. Not only have the players gotten better, but the coaches have as well. That will be a challenge. It’s the same game, but it’s just played at a different level.”
Gulutzan hopes that his team’s personality will reflect his coaching style.
“I demand hard work,” Gulutzan said. “My style is pretty fair. I’m probably more of a player’s coach, but maybe these guys won’t think so. We just want to play an upbeat, aggressive style of hockey. We’re not going to be passive. We want to be up-tempo.”
The team will be affiliated with the NHL Dallas Stars. Many of the current players have been spread throughout the minor leagues and this is their first opportunity to skate together as a cohesive group. There is a mixture of youth and experience that Coach Gulutzan hopes will work in their favor.
“Certainly we’re going to have a group of young forwards here,” Gulutzan said. “But we have a real seasoned defense corps and that’s going to be the backbone for us. We’re certainly going to be more competitive with a good defense and good goaltending, with a bunch of young guys up front. The key for us is to have a good, hard working group of forwards with a seasoned group of D and make sure we’re in games every night.”
Assistant Coach Paul Jerrard
“Your experience as a player is valuable, but Paul’s experience as a coach and the other coaches he’s been with is (invaluable),” Gulutzan said. “He coached under Bob Hartley in Colorado and also (reviewed video) for the Avalanche. He’s been in the AHL as a coach for years, so he knows the personnel down here. When you can get ideas from a guy who’s been around other successful coaches, it helps the players and the coach with reinforcing your beliefs.”
Gulutzan is joined in Texas by his wife Nicole, and his four children, Emma, Brielle, Landen and Grace. They are impressed with the community and the new building.
“The community is very friendly,” Gulutzan said. “I spent the last six years in Las Vegas. We loved our friends and our neighbors there, but there is more of a feel of community here. My first experience with Texas is that it is almost a country within a country. There’s lots of Texas pride here. The communities here (in Cedar Park) and in Austin have been tremendous. As far as the building, it’s beautiful. I think it’s a great venue. It will give people an opportunity to have another option when football season is over to come see something in a first class facility. This rink is going to be an attraction in itself.”
Gulutzan always wanted to get into coaching and he credits his father, Gene, for giving him the traits necessary to fulfill his dream.
“I always felt I was going to be a better coach than a player,” Gulutzan said. “That stems from my father who taught school for over 35 years and coached for 30. That’s the guy I really credit and the reason I’m sitting here in Austin today.”
Contact the author at: Mitch.Cooper@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.