Oilers' Skating Guru Joins Former Coach in Dallas
When Glen Gulutzan departed the Edmonton Oilers in July to become head coach of the Dallas Stars, he didn't leave alone. The former Oilers assistant coach brought a key member of Edmonton's development staff with him: Olympic gold medalist and skating coach David Pelletier.
Gulutzan didn't just bring Pelletier to Dallas in the same role he held in Edmonton. He made the significant decision to promote the skating specialist to a full assistant coach position, recognizing Pelletier's growing influence and connection with players.
From Figure Skating Champion to NHL Developer
David Pelletier brings a unique background to the NHL coaching ranks. Unlike most coaches, he never played professional or junior hockey. Instead, he achieved fame as half of Canada's legendary pairs figure skating duo with Jamie Sale, capturing gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
Pelletier spent eleven seasons with the Edmonton Oilers organization, originally brought into the fold by former head coach Dave Tippett. During his tenure, he earned the trust of players throughout the roster, particularly the team's top talent.
"I saw his relationships with the players over the years and his ability to develop them, especially with the top players," Gulutzan explained. "I saw those top guys asking Dave if he would skate them when they're out, putting them through the drills."
Building Trust and Developing Elite Talent
Gulutzan emphasized that Pelletier's value extends far beyond technical skating instruction. The trust he's built with players represents a crucial asset for any coaching staff.
"They trust him, and in this league, a lot of it is confidence," Gulutzan noted. "The young players want skill development and he's made it up the list in that department. That was important for me coming to Dallas."
Pelletier's promotion reflects the evolving nature of NHL coaching, where specialized skills and player development expertise are increasingly valued alongside traditional coaching backgrounds.
In a interesting personal note, Pelletier's wife is two-time Olympic pairs gold medalist Ekaterina Gordeeva, creating what might be hockey's most accomplished skating power couple.
Rantanen's Unusual League Leadership
In related NHL news, Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen finds himself in an unusual statistical position. The Finnish Olympian currently leads the NHL in both power-play points (15) and penalty minutes (57).
Rantanen recently served an automatic one-game suspension after receiving two game misconducts within a 41-game period. The incidents occurred against New York Islanders defenseman Alex Romanov and Calgary's Matt Coronado.
Despite this disciplinary action, Rantanen remains one of the league's premier talents, expected to represent Finland at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan.
