David Pelletier joins the Dallas Stars as assistant coach after 11 years with the Edmonton Oilers(Image Via Getty) The Dallas Stars are firmly placed amongst the teams with stellar coaching staff as we head toward the new NHL season. His Olympic fame and an illustrious career spanning over ten years in hockey development projects saw David Pelletier turn into an assistant coach. Having known the rink and skating intricately, Pelletier is all set to move from his sporadic awareness to full-time NHL bench-side duties in coaching and will now leverage his aerial views as the Stars’ “eye in the sky.”
From Olympic Gold to NHL bench: David Pelletier begins a new chapter with the Dallas Stars
Though a new member to the NHL coaching ranks, David Pelletier journey is otherwise unique. The Quebec-born Pelletier first carved a name for himself in figure skating before he crossed over into hockey coaching. Career highlights would include having won the gold medal in pairs figure skating at the Salt Lake City Olympics of 2002, a historic occasion that saw Canada lay to rest a 42-year gold medal drought in the discipline.With his first NHL season as an assistant coach, Pelletier brings a background of skating instruction of ten years for the Edmonton Oilers. Over the span of 11 years, he has been working with players on all levels of the Oilers organization, helping them develop skating technique and off-ice conditioning. Behind the scenes, he kind of enhanced player performance, a skill he now applies in Dallas in a more traditional sense.The Stars, coming off an impressive offseason led by Glen Gulutzan, have complemented their staff by bringing in Pelletier to join a dynamic group of coaches that include Alain Nasreddine, Neil Graham, Jeff Reese, Patrick Dolan, and Chris Demczuk. From his new place in the box, he is expected to provide the “eye in the sky” perspective, offering tactical insights and immediate feedback throughout the games. His figure skating and performance training experience will be invaluable in introducing a new analytical mindset to the bench.Pelletier’s appointment stands as a notable cultural moment for Canadian sports history, as he is a member of various elite institutions, including the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Skate Canada Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.Also Read: Erik Karlsson could be the key for the Toronto Maple Leafs as Morgan Rielly struggles on the power playFor the first time, Pelletier joins the Dallas Stars’ bench as an appointment, yielding not only a mere assistant coach but a decorated athlete with a keen focus on performance. The unorthodox journey from Olympic podiums to NHL robberies spells an exciting new chapter for both Pelletier and the Stars.