Dallas Stars Hire Head Coach

On May 31^st, 2009 the Dallas Stars reassigned their two-headed general managers. Brett Hull and Les Jackson are out and Joe Nieuwendyk was named their replacement. Hull will fill the position of executive vice president and alternate governor and Jackson will go back into the role of scouting and player development.

After Joe Nieuwendyk was named the new GM of the Dallas Stars, his first major move was letting go of Head Coach Dave Tippett. His success in six seasons include, a record of 271-162-59, making the post-season five out the six seasons, and two division titles. The sixth season was the hardest for the Stars organization as they missed the playoffs for the time with Tippett behind the bench and a whirlwind of controversy in the signing of Sean Avery. On June 11th the Dallas Stars introduced Marc Crawford as the new Head Coach.

Marc Crawford brings experience and a Stanley Cup ring to the Dallas Stars behind the bench. With the mix of young and old in Dallas, Crawford will be able to develop as well as provide great inspiration for the Stars players.

Crawford is the 16^th winningest coach in the NHL with 470 wins. He started off with the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994-95 season, winning the Jack Adams Trophy in his rookie season as Head Coach. The following season the Nordiques relocated to Colorado as the Avalanche, where his only Stanley Cup comes from in the 1995-96 season. After an early round exit, Crawford was gone as the Avalanche Head Coach and moved on.

With a brief stint at Hockey Night in Canada as an analyst, Crawford replaced Mike Kennan in Vancouver midway in the 1998-99 season. Rebuilding and developing in the six-and-half seasons, Crawford had semi-success in the city of Vancouver winning the Northwest Division Title. He only managed one playoff series win, and not making the post-season in the 2005-06 season, Crawford was let go for current Head Coach Alain Vigneault.

Almost a month later, Crawford was hired by the Los Angeles Kings. After two seasons in which they did not't make the post-season, Crawford was let go by Kings Management.

After spending one season at Hockey Night in Canada, the Dallas Stars is his new home.

Mark Lamb was also let go as the assistant coach.

Sources: stars.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=New; www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=281531