The San Diego Gulls have announced that the American Hockey League club has named Dallas Eakins head coach.
“We are very pleased to name Dallas as head coach for our inaugural AHL season in San Diego,” said Bob Murray, Anaheim Ducks executive vice president/general manager and San Diego Gulls president of hockey operations. “He brings experience in hockey at all levels, both as a player and head coach. We feel fortunate to be able to bring him on board.”
Eakins was most recently the head coach of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers from 2013 to 2014, helming 113 games. Prior to Edmonton, Eakins was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization for eight seasons and served as Toronto’s assistant coach from 2006 to 2008. As a head coach of the Toronto Marlies, Eakins led the team to a 157-114-41 record in 312 contests. The Marlies finished atop the division during Eakins’ final two seasons behind the bench and won four of six playoff series. While with the Marlies, Eakins was named as one of two head coaches representing the Western Conference for the AHL all-star games for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. During the 2011-12 season, Eakins led the Marlies to a division-best 44-24-8 record and an appearance in the Calder Cup final. Prior to his time as head coach of the Marlies, Eakins served as an assistant coach for the club during the 2005-06 season.
Selected by Washington in the 10th round (208th overall) of the 1985 NHL draft, Eakins appeared in 120 NHL contests with the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders and Calgary Flames. The left-handed defenseman also played in both the AHL and International Hockey League during his professional career, winning both the Calder Cup (2002) and Turner Cup (2000). He recorded his best season with the Chicago Wolves in 1999-00, recording 31 points in 68 contests. His final professional season was with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL before retiring on May 26, 2004.