Calgary Flames announce Glen Gulutzan as new head coach

Glen Gulutzan is crystal-clear about his plans for next season's Calgary Flames: new coach, new style andnew expectations.

GM Brad Treliving announced Gulutzan as the team's new bench boss in a press conference Friday morning at the Saddledome.

"It became very clear, meeting with Glen early, that this was a perfect match," Treliving said. "This is an individual who is smart.He's intelligent about the game, tactically, structurally."

Gulutzan, who hails from Hudson Bay, Sask., has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks.

He previously led the Dallas Stars as head coach for two seasons but was fired at the end of the 2012-13 season. Prior to that, Gulutzan enjoyed a successful stint coaching and managing the Las Vegas Wranglers in the East Coast Hockey League from 2003 to 2009.

Focus on connection

In order to survive in the Western Conference, Gulutzan said the Flames have to play fast and play big.

New Flames coach Glen Gulutzan talks offensive strategy goals

8 years ago

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Glen Gulutzan has left his assistant coaching position with the Vancouver Canucks to become the new coach of the Calgary Flames.

"In the West you need a blend," Gulutzan said. "I see us playing a real fast, defend fast, speed-type game where our big players are going to have to play big.We're going to have to be strong along the walls, our fast players are going to have to be fast and our role players are going to have to be role players."

That means the team needs to stay connected in all three zones, he said.

"There will definitely be a little bit of style change in how we play, and it will lead to an exciting game," he added. "It will be an exciting, connected team that we have here, and I look forward to it."

'Insulation' for young players

The Flames may have oodles of young talent in the form of players like Sam Bennett, Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, but Gulutzan said those players need to be anchored by veterans.

"Young guys in this league, they still need some insulation around them," he said. "They can't be put on an island and made to play."

That's not to say Gulutzan won't push those young guns. Take Gaudreau, for example.

"I'm going to ask him still to play both ways and challenge him to be better everyday because with young guys, there's a lot of room to grow."

Building trust

Treliving said Gulutzan's ability to connect to his players particularly the young ones stood out during the search for a new coach.

"He's a communicator," Treliving said. "In today's game I think he answers the questions of why and how, and those important questions in today's game. Players want to know the information and why we're doing things and how it's going to be a benefit."

From Gulutzan's perspective, it's about relationships.

"If you need to push, and prod and yell or maximize ... whatever it is you're going to do with those players.If you have a good base, if you have a good trust, you can push them a long wayand they will play better," he said.

"If I need to take from the team then I can take it, as long as I've established that trust."

Long hiring process

Treliving said Flames management spent a long time trying to develop a profile for what the team needed in a new coach. Buthe said Gulutzan stood out.

Next on the hiring agenda is finding someone to replace associate coach Jacques Cloutier, who along with former head coach Bob Hartley was fired in May.

Gulutzan said he's looking to emphasize special teams, but ultimately it's about the best fit.

"The biggest criteria for me is we want the best guy or the best guys," Gulutzan said.

As for the Flames' new identity, it'll start right at training camp.

"I'm pretty much ready," Gulutzan said.