New San Diego Gulls head coach Dallas Eakins is a man with a plan.
The Gulls, who will play as the Anaheim Mighty Ducks’ top affiliate in the American Hockey League, the final steppingstone for players to the National Hockey League, introduced Eakins last week to the local media.
Eakins, with an intense and focused look, outlined his goals of winning games while helping each player develop his potential in a team environment, which he said begins with discipline.
“Discipline means doing the right thing the right way the first time and all the time,” he said.
He stressed a sense of urgency he will instill in his players.
“We don’t want any wasted days in development, and we don’t want to waste days by not winning,” he added. “Discipline and commitment are critical.”
And, when their time on the ice ends, Eakins emphasized the Ducks and Gulls organization places a priority on their players being active members of the city.
“We want to be embedded in the community 365 days a year,” Eakins said, and getting out in the community will be mandatory, “whether it is partnerships with the military, schools or hospitals. People have given to us on our way up, and now it’s our time to give back.”
Eakins has been head coach of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers and also spent eight years in the Toronto Maple Leafs system, where he was head coach of the Leafs’ AHL entry. He led the team to the AHL’s Calder Cup finals and was named a head coach for the AHL All-Star game.
As a player, Eakins, a left-handed defenseman, was a member of championship teams that won the Calder Cup and International Hockey League’s Turner Cup.
Bob Murray, a vice president and general manager with the Ducks and Gulls president of hockey operations, praised Eakins, noting, “He brings experience in hockey at all levels, including both as a player and head coach. We feel fortunate to be able to bring him on board.”
And the Ducks think they’ve assembled a top group of skaters who will fill the Gulls roster.
“We believe we will have a number of players in San Diego who could start for other NHL teams,” Murray said. Gulls Schedule Announced
The AHL released the league’s schedule last week. The Gulls will play 34 home dates at the Valley View Casino Center, including 13 Fridays, 12 Saturdays, seven Wednesdays and single games on Tuesdays and Sundays. See the full schedule and check ticket information at sandiegogulls.com.
The team will train at a still-under-construction rink in Poway while team offices remain in Hazard Center. Training Camp
The Gulls will begin populating their roster in a camp beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9 in Anaheim. Drafted players, entry-level prospects and free agents will attempt to impress Ducks and Gulls coaches.
The best of this bunch will join the Ducks NHL training camp on Thursday, Sept. 17, beginning a process in which those who don’t earn a spot on the Ducks team will be assigned to San Diego. They will join five players already signed to play here.
The Ducks also have a team (Salt Lake) in the lower East Coast Hockey League.
The Gulls have already sold more than 2,500 season tickets at the Valley View Casino Center, where fans will see new boards, new curved NHL-quality glass and a new scoreboard. Behind the scenes will be renovated locker rooms and a new compressor system to produce a better ice surface.