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Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Las Vegas Sun
Las Vegas Wranglers head coach Glen Gulutzan instructs his players after a stoppage in play in the first period of game 3 of the Western Conference finals at the Orleans Arena on May 12.
Published Monday, June 15, 2009 | 6:41 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, June 16, 2009 | 1:06 a.m.
Las Vegas Wranglers' head coach and general manager Glen Gulutzan ponders the answer to a question during the Wranglers media day at the Orleans Arena on Oct. 20.
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Imagining the Las Vegas Wranglers without Glen Gulutzan behind the bench is hard to do.
The 37-year-old coach and general manager ushered in the return of professional hockey to Las Vegas in 2003 and took the Wranglers to five playoff appearances in six seasons.
But it seems imminent that Gulutzan will not return for a lucky seventh season.
After Gulutzan led a young and oft-injured team to the National Conference finals this season, rumors of his departure began to swirl.
Those rumors, however, have intensified so much that the Wranglers organization is expected to make an official announcement Tuesday afternoon that Gulutzan is leaving Las Vegas to take a head coaching position in the American Hockey League.
Gulutzan's new team is not yet known. Las Vegas owner Charles Davenport is searching for Gulutzan's replacement, but has not hired anyone yet.
In his six seasons at the helm of the Wranglers, Gulutzan boasts a .650 regular season winning percentage (254-124-55) and a 36-31 playoff record. The ECHL named Gulutzan the Coach of the Year for the 2005-06 season, in which the Wranglers posted 112 regular season points.
Gulutzan has also coached in three ECHL All-Star games.
As a player, Gulutzan earned All-WCHL honors twice as a center for the Fresno Falcons after starting his professional career in 1996. The Pas, Manitoba native also spent time abroad, playing professionally in Sweden and Finland.
Gulutzan and his wife, Nicole, have lived in Las Vegas since the Wranglers' founding in 2003. They have four children.
Check Lasvegassun.com Tuesday afternoon for more details on Gulutzan's new position.
Gully, thanks for everything you have done for our team these past six seasons. The trip to the finals was truly a memorable ride. All things considered, you did a hell of a job with the team this year. It is nice to see your efforts have not gone unnoticed by your peers, I wish you and your family the best of luck in the future, wherever you may land. Davenport will surely have a tough time filling your shoes...
Very deserving and long past due. Congrats to Gully!!!
Gully, you left some big shoes to fill. Good luck in Texas, your Las Vegas fans will be watching.