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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.
Published Tuesday, June 16, 2009 | 12:10 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, June 16, 2009 | 12:31 p.m.
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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.
WOW!!!
And GRATZ!!! to Coach.
It is great to see him get an oppurtunity like this. He has been a great coach for the Wranglers.
It is one of the bittersweet things, bitter to see him go, sweet for him.
Thanks, Coach Gulutzan for 6 great years.
GOOD LUCK !!!!!
Congrats to Gully! Lord knows he deserves this opportunity. Good luck coach and to steal a line from the late great Bob Hope... thanks for the memories :-)
good riddance! he was never able to win the big one while he was here.
TGinVegas, ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!! Are you going to say the same thing when Kruger leaves the Rebels?! Were Harvey Hyde and Fred Dalimore bums because they didn't win titles?!
Gulutzan built the organization from the bottom up and is the key reason why the team is one of the winningest franchises in ECHL history! His accolades include being named ECHL Coach of the Year, tying the league record for most all-star games coached, leading the Wranglers to a Brabham Cup title and bringing Las Vegas the closest it has been to a league championship since the Las Vegas Dustdevils won the Continental Indoor Soccer League in 1994. Not to mention that he led the team to an ECHL record three straight 100-point seasons and a professional hockey record tying 18-game winning streak! Players came to Las Vegas because of the way Gulutzan coached and treated his players, Calgary kept its affiliation with the Wranglers because of how Gulutzan developed players like Pardy, Sloan, Seitsonnen and Cracknell all of which are either in the NHL now or are soon going to. This is why he is moving to the AHL instead of going down to the CHL or SPHL or becoming the coach of another ECHL team.
I'm happy to see Gully get a chance in the AHL, we all knew this was coming but wanted it to be at least after a Kelly Cup. He gave us great memories and shut all the faux fans up who wanted him sacked after the disappointing '04-'05 season. Without Gulutzan, I doubt the Wranglers would have stayed in Las Vegas as long as they have.
Now comes the question of who will replace him. I really think that Brent Bilodeau has to be near the top of Davenport's list of replacements. Bilodeau knows Gully's system having been an assistant under Glen for three seasons ('05-'08) before taking a head coaching position in the Central Hockey League this past season. Bilodeau is a former Las Vegas Thunder player and lives in the valley with his family. Too bad Matt Thomas resigned with Stockton, b/c I think he would've been a good fit with the Wranglers. Who do you think could/should be the Wranglers' next head coach?
Brent Bilodeau does not live in LV since he left the Wranglers to become been head coach of the Wichita Thunder in the CHL last summer.
I could have sworn his off-season home was still in Las Vegas. I also mentioned his move to the CHL in my prior comment. As long as Mike McBain is not promoted to the head coaching position then we will be okay. Any chance 'Mags' would want to add minor league hockey coach to his titles of realtor and restauranteur?