Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk announced today that the club has named Curt Fraser as its assistant coach.
Fraser, 54, has spent the last four seasons as head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. While in Grand Rapids, he compiled a 146-130-40 record and is that franchise’s career coaching leader in regular season wins (146) and games behind the bench (316).
“We feel that that the depth of Curt’s experience in the game speaks for itself, including a four-year run as an NHL head coach,” said Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk. “That experience will be an invaluable asset to our organization, and his dynamic personality will be a great complement to Glen Gulutzan, Paul Jerrard and the rest of our team.”
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Figured it wasn't enough for it's own thread. He was the first coach for the expansion Atlanta Thrashers, and he's coached Detroit's AHL team Grand Rapids for four years most recently.
Figured it wasn't enough for it's own thread. He was the first coach for the expansion Atlanta Thrashers, and he's coached Detroit's AHL team Grand Rapids for four years most recently.
I guess it was important enough for it's own thread.
Sorry Lobo ... you must have been posting yours as I was jumping in to the off season thread.
It's not a sexy name that people have been throwing around, but you get the experience you said you wanted. Plus he had a decent playing career as well (retired a North Star).
Hey Lobo ... a former player from the organization every coach for it before?
Hmm. Usually I enjoy anything from the Red Wings organization (I badly wanted Paul MacLean last year for our head coach search), but I know nothing about this guy. I'm ambivalent, but keeping expectations low.
I'm not entirely sold on this move. The Griffins have had about as much playoff success under his tenure as we have had in the past 4 years.
I would definitely have to say... is this a sign of things to come?
yeah but who has playoff success in the AHL is pretty much who has the most veteran, ringer laden team. I don't take much out of his AHL record except for the fact that he was in the Detroit organization which makes him a quality candidate in my book.
As for the PP, the Stars can do alot to help themselves out by finding some way not to have guys like Steve Ott, Brendan Morrow, and Stephane Robidas out there all the time.
“I guess if I had to say I was known for one part of the game over another, it would be offense,’’ Fraser said. “I think working closely with Mike Babcock and with all of the coaches in Detroit, it’s something they emphasize. Puck possession, special teams, ways to create scoring.’’
The Griffins struggled a bit this season, as they had to provide a lot of depth for the injured Red Wings. They finished 33-32-11 and allowed the second most goals in the league at 249. However, they also scored the second most goals in the league at 245. That means Fraser has some knowledge that could help head coach Glen Gulutzan and assistant coach Paul Jerrard.
Looks like Joe might have gone out looking for an Assistant coach with a good offensive track record.
As for the PP, the Stars can do alot to help themselves out by finding some way not to have guys like Steve Ott, Brendan Morrow, and Stephane Robidas out there all the time.
I blame the coaches for not playing Benn more on the PP but at some point the failures out there rest more with the players than the alignment. I can have the greatest philosophy in the world but it means jack if the guy I've got touting it sucks at communication. None of those three players belonged on the PP yet they got huge minutes. I hope the new guy puts his foot down about personnel but beyond that a system built around what we have and are good at would probably do wonders or at least drag us out of the cellar.
Fraser got some friendly advice from Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland and Assistant GM Jim Nill.
“They both told me this is a great spot, a great leadership group led by Joe Nieuwendyk,” Fraser said. “They said ‘you’ve got to go talk to these guys.’”
I didn't quote this part, but Dallas had to receive permission from Detroit to talk with him. He was still under contract.
Quote:
Once his career ended in 1990, Brian Burke, then Director of Hockey Operations in Vancouver, and Canucks coach Pat Quinn helped pushed him towards coaching.
It's not been reported that Burke recommended Fraser to Dallas or anything, but seeing that note reminded me that I believe Crawford was recommended to GM Joe Nieuwendyk by Burke. Not after he was hired by Dallas, but apparently when Joe was at Toronto Burke mentioned Crawford was a good coach, IIRC. I don't remember the exact details, but I just seem to remember GMJN mentioning Burke was high on Crawford or something.
Quote:
Fraser, who early in his coaching career had a reputation of being volatile, learned some patience as he helped Red Wings prospects find their way to the NHL.
“I was a pretty demanding coach. There are no easy ways to win. You’ve got to push hard. That’s what I did,” Fraser said. “The last four years, working with young kids, developing them, I’ve become much more patient and you’ve got to be a real great communicator. You’ve got to speed them up and teach them to play a much different game than they are used to. I think the experience in Grand Rapids and working with Detroit really helped me.
That's great that he's learned to be patient, but I imagine he could also play "bad cop" which might be one of the reasons they like him.
Quote:
“I’ve been around for a while but working with a guy like Mike Babcock, he’s a fantastic coach. Ken Holland and Jimmy Nill, there’s not much better than that. I’ve got great memories of the last four years of working with the Wings. I’ve learned a ton, it’s helped me as a coach and hopefully I can bring some of it to the Dallas Stars.”
