Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Wranglers’ Gulutzan heading to Texas

Thunder roar past Wranglers

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Las Vegas Sun

Wranglers general manager and head coach Glen Gulutzan looks over his players on the bench during the second period of game 6 of the Pacific Division Finals at the Orleans Arena on May 5.

Glen Gulutzan

Las Vegas Wranglers head coach Glen Gulutzan, center, presides over practice May 28, 2008 at the Orleans Arena. The Wranglers made it to the Kelly Cup finals before losing in six games to Cincinnati. Launch slideshow »

The only coach in Las Vegas Wranglers history is leaving for a bigger rodeo.

Glen Gulutzan, who amassed a 290-155-55 all-time playoff and regular season record in six seasons with the Wranglers, will become the head coach of the Texas Stars, an expansion franchise of the American Hockey League in Austin, Texas.

The Texas Stars are affiliated with the NHL's Dallas Stars and will play in the new 6,800-seat Cedar Park Center in the Austin suburb of Cedar Park.

During his tenure with the Wranglers, Gulutzan served as both coach and general manager while leading Las Vegas to the playoffs five out of his six seasons. Gulutzan will handle just the coaching duties in Austin.

"Our organization is very proud of Glen and all of his accomplishments here in Las Vegas," said Wranglers owner Charles Davenport in a press release. "Although we are sad to see him leave, we are delighted that he has earned this opportunity as the new Head Coach of the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League. In his time in Las Vegas, Glen has created a winning atmosphere and a tradition of excellence. Glen is not only a great coach, but an even better person and we wish him the best of luck and continued success in his new role.

Davenport added that the Wranglers are searching for a new head coach and will make an announcement about Gulutzan's successor in "the next couple of weeks."

The 2005-06 ECHL Coach of the Year led the Wranglers to three consecutive 100-point seasons from 2005-08. Las Vegas advanced to the Kelly Cup finals in 2008 and the National Conference finals in 2009.

Gulutzan also coached in three ECHL All-Star games.

The 37-year-old Pas, Manitoba, native might already have one key roster spot filled as the Dallas Stars signed former Las Vegas goalie Brent Krahn to one-year, two-way contract in June. Krahn saw action with the Wranglers this past season and during the inaugural 2003-04 season.

Gulutzan will address the local media at the Orleans Arena this afternoon to discuss his new position.

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