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NHL’s Anaheim Ducks fire coach Dallas Eakins
I simply feel that a fresh perspective and new voice will be beneficial for the team.
“Dallas has handled himself with class and character through a difficult season, and we wish him the best in the future.”
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Eakins said in a statement he released on Twitter that he “will be forever grateful for my eight years in the Ducks organization.”
“From jump-starting San Diego to dealing with COVID to a full-on rebuild was an inspiring and rewarding challenge,” the 56-year-old Eakins said.
“Every staff member and player made me a better coach, but more importantly, a better person. The enthusiasm and patience of the fans will never be
By City News Service
forgotten. Thank you to Bob Murray and Pat Verbeek for giving me a chance. I will always be in your debt.
“Thank you to Henry, Susan and Jillian Samueli for the inspiration. Your leadership makes the Ducks organization an incredible place to work. You remind us all that community and others come first.
“But most of all, thank you to my three wonderful ladies at home who support me like no other. I look forward to our next great adventure!!”
Eakins was hired as the Ducks’ coach June 17, 2019, by Murray, then their general manager, after coaching their American Hockey League affiliate in San Diego the previous four seasons.
“We thank Dallas for his eight years with the organi- zation as head coach of both the Ducks and Gulls,” Ducks owner Henry Samueli said in a statement. Samueli is the husband of Susan Samueli, also listed as the team’s owner, and father of Jillian Reddin, the Ducks’ director of hockey operations.
“Susan and I are especially proud of his commitment to the community in both Anaheim and San Diego, which included countless charitable initiatives. We know Dallas will succeed in his future endeavors, as character people often do.”
The stint in Anaheim was second as an NHL coach. He coached the Edmonton Oilers to a 36-63-14 record from the start of the 2013-14 season until being fired 31 games into the 2014-15 season after they got off to a 7-19-5 start.
