Stars Coaches Jeff Pyle and Jeff Truitt Fired

Coaches Jeff Truitt (foreground) and Pyle (background with Austin Smith) walking off the ice between periods in Oklahoma City on March 23rd. (Credit: Judy True)

The Dallas Stars wasted no time this morning in beginning a changing of the guard in Austin. Less than 12 hours after the team returned to Austin for the final time, it was announced that both members of the Texas Stars coaching staff have been relieved.

“This was a tough decision but one we feel was necessary,” Dallas General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk told DallasStars.com. “Jeff Pyle and Jeff Truitt are true professionals and we would like to thank them for their service in Texas this season. We wish them the best.”

After making the playoffs two years in a row, Texas had the second worst record in the league this year and missed the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Dallas has been saying for a while that there would be big changes this offseason. Keen (and even less-than-keen) observers have been assuming for a while that this would start behind the bench first.

Rumor was that Dallas was unhappy with the performance of the team for quite a while. The clash in playing styles also could not have helped the relationship. Coach Pyle's heavy forechecking system did not complement the style that Coach Gulutzan plays in Dallas. GM Scott White had stated strongly that his teams are usually built on solid goalies and defense, two of the worst aspects of Texas's game this season.

With the number of prospects now coming through the Stars system, the alignment of the Stars major and minor league on-ice systems is paramount. Even if Texas had some success this year, the system clash wasn't going to be viable long-term.

Texas has now had a 50/50 record on ECHL coaches. My bet is that Joe Nieuwendyk spends a lot of time looking at AHL and NHL assistants. The organization needs a coach who has a proven record of developing prospects to NHL success. That search will probably start in earnest once the playoffs are over.

On a personal note, Jeff Pyle was a great guy to work with from a media perspective. He was always a great quote and was more than willing to answer any question. He came out to take questions just as quickly after a 7-0 win as he did after a 6-1 loss. I've had a few interviews with him where the main content of the story was done in the first few minutes, and he spent twice as long just shooting the breeze with me about hockey. Coach Pyle had a lot of success in the ECHL, and I think he will find another job in hockey very soon. I wish him and Coach Truitt the best of luck.

Comments

  1. Hey Stephen awesome work again this season this coach firing leaves me a bit surprised...granted a 31-45 record after playing for a championship in their expansion year and getting bounced in the first round last year is a huge step backward not a small one but the injuries and callups and major goaltending issues couldve been fixed and maybe his style after just 1 season was all they needed to see. How bout Charlottes fall huh? i saw a tweet about that and I went to the 2 games in CHA in early Dec and I thought seeing them they would be a problem for someone and was anticipating hockey when i go there to visit friends again next month but they went 8-19 down the strecth to turn a 30-19 record into 38-38. GO SYRACUSE though huh a 15-5 finish gets them the 7 seed and a 2-3 format mtg with St John's ugh that travel I did it once many years ago its a pain. Awesome work again this year sir thx Chris

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Chris.

      I think this was needed to get everyone on the same page. It is tough for Coach Pyle, but I think he would have to agree with it from a business side. He didn't seem like he was enjoying himself toward the end of the season.

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