Dallas hires David Pelletier as Assistant Coach

[Reggie Dunlop]

DALLAS - Former figure skating star David Pelletier is getting his first shot at being an NHL assistant coach.
The Dallas Stars announced Friday that Pelletier is joining new head coach Glen Gulutzan's staff.
The 50-year-old from Sayabec, Que., had been a skating coach with the Edmonton Oilers for the last 11 years.

From working on skating with players to going behind the bench.

Interesting transition.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

From working on skating with players to going behind the bench.

Interesting transition.

Let's see if he sticks the landing.

[browna]

As usual, Lowe and Katz liked collecting famous people or Olympians back in the day. Nicholson from Canada Hockey, so was Tambelleni, of course so we're others like Hitchcock and Chiarelli. Tom Renney, Pat Quinn.
Add Pelletier to that list from 2014.

Though Oilers functions may have been awkward, because Jamie Sale was married to Pelletier and left him for Craig Simpson after that CBC skating show.

Obviously ties to GG who sticks his neck out to put a guy like Pelletier in there. I'm sure Benn and Seguin are eyerolling that move.

[BigThief]

"Dallas hires FIGURE SKATER DAVID Pelletier as Assistant Coach" would have been a good title, but I suppose burying the lead is fun too.

[BigThief]

Originally Posted by browna

.

Obviously ties to GG who sticks his neck out to put a guy like Pelletier in there. I'm sure Benn and Seguin are eyerolling that move.

Coach moves from one organization, takes people he likes with him. Not every thread needs to be some HaHa Stupid Oilers! over the top nonsense. Stuff like this happens all the time in and outside the hockey world.

because Jamie Sale was married to Pelletier and left him for Craig Simpson after that CBC skating show

Jamie Sale is a nut job and and that craziness ended the marriage to Simpson.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Congratulations to Pelletier and the Pelletier family.

[Paulie Walnuts]

They will all be fired in 2 years along with Nill.

[topfiverecords]

I thought maybe Jakob was climbing the ladder.

[Reggie Dunlop]

The Flames' skating coach, Danielle Fujita also comes from a figure skating background. That in itself is perhaps not unusual.

I guess 11 years in a pro hockey environment gives Pelletier insight into the game itself.

Maybe he's also good at throwing sticks.

[Andrew]

If u cant beat them guess you steal coach copy them?

[GioforPM]

Boy, it's a long way from coaching a skill like skating to the tactical and team play stuff an AC does. As far as I can tell he has zero hockey coaching background aside from power skating.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Boy, it's a long way from coaching a skill like skating to the tactical and team play stuff an AC does. As far as I can tell he has zero hockey coaching background aside from power skating.

While true, its also possible that he learned a few things during 11 years around an NHL team?

Unfortunately, I have such a low opinion of Gluegun and everything he does that I'm more inclined to believe this is one of his 'Smartest Man in the Room' decisions that almost invariably fail.

I hope I'm wrong because I've got nothing against Pelletier.

[BurningSteel]

Originally Posted by BigThief

Coach moves from one organization, takes people he likes with him. Not every thread needs to be some HaHa Stupid Oilers! over the top nonsense. Stuff like this happens all the time in and outside the hockey world.


Jamie Sale is a nut job and and that craziness ended the marriage to Simpson.

Yes. Yes it does. Stupid Oilers Ha ha ha.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Locke

While true, its also possible that he learned a few things during 11 years around an NHL team?

Unfortunately, I have such a low opinion of Gluegun and everything he does that I'm more inclined to believe this is one of his 'Smartest Man in the Room' decisions that almost invariably fail.

I hope I'm wrong because I've got nothing against Pelletier.

It's possible, but that means there are a whole bunch of equipment managers who could be ACs.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

It's possible, but that means there are a whole bunch of equipment managers who could be ACs.

I mean, if you're desperate enough anyone could be an NHL AC?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Locke

I mean, if you're desperate enough anyone could be an NHL AC?

I think a bunch of guys would be eager to be an AC in Dallas.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think a bunch of guys would be eager to be an AC in Dallas.

You're absolutely right. Unfortunately I think you're making a critical error in judgement in that you are attempting to apply realistic logic to Glen Gulutzan.

You see, I think Ol' Gluegun learned a thing or two during his Oilers days, and if he hired any old idiot out of the AHL or, frankly, wherever, that would probably wind up being a ticking clock on his own job.

So, in supreme Oilers fashion, he hired a crony unlikely to supplant him.

Or maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Pelletier is actually really good, anything could happen.

[Paulie Walnuts]

What would ole Glen learn in Edmonton ? How to triple shift 2 players ?

I give him 2 years. If they miss the playoff I think he could be fired right away.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I dunno... someone hired a PR flack as AGM.

[Jay Random]

I'm guessing this is a promotion in name only. ‘You want to come and be a skills coach for us? No? What if we give you the title of assistant coach and pay you accordingly?’

Until I see otherwise, I doubt Pelletier is going to be behind the Dallas bench or making tactical decisions.

That said, it could turn out either way. Tommy Gorman is in the HHOF for his work as a coach and GM, and he never played hockey at all. His background was in lacrosse.