As Hitchcock retires, Stars' search for new head coach begins

Ken Hitchcock's second stint as head coach of the Dallas Stars turned out to be a short one. Hitchcock announced Friday that he is retiring from coaching after one year back behind the bench in Dallas.
"The game of hockey has been my entire life and I could never repay what the game did for me and all the wonderful people I met in my career," Hitchcock said in a letter announcing his retirement. "I would like to thank everyone for their support and friendship over the years. I have contemplated this since our last game and I came to the conclusion that now is the right time to step away and let the younger generation of coaches take over."

HITCHCOCK RETIRES: [Click here for full coverage]
The Stars hired Hitchcock, who had led Dallas to the 1999 Stanley Cup, last April in hopes of rejuvenating a team that had missed the playoffs in 2016-17 and finished with just 79 points, their second-lowest total in a full season since the team moved to Texas in 1993. Despite an improved record (
42-32-8-90
points) and better performance in some key areas, the team still missed the playoffs for a second straight season and for the third time in the past four seasons.
Hitchcock is on a multi-year deal with the Stars that includes him moving into an advisory role once he was finished with coaching.
"We knew going forward that one day this was going to happen. That's why we structured the contract the way we did," Stars GM Jim Nill said.
"But we were fortunate to have Ken come in for one season. To have him instill what he put into our organization, to help build this foundation, it is going to pay dividends for us down the road. He made a lot of these players a lot better, and that is going to help us down the road. We want to thank him for everything he did."
Nill said there was a lot of growth under Hitchcock, using the team's improved defensive play as an example. The Stars, who were among the league's worst in goals against in 2016-17 (29th at 3.17 per game), tied for sixth this past season at 2.71 per game.
"I think what Ken Hitchcock has done in this one year, the wealth of knowledge, how to play the game the right way, for our young kids to understand what it takes to win, I think that is big," Nill said. "I think our next staff coming in is going to be rewarded because of it."
As for the next head coach, Nill said the search is underway.
"My phone has been kind of busy already. I am starting to get phone calls," he said.
The Dallas GM said he is going to conduct a wide-ranging search and look at all options, including candidates with NHL experience and those whose experience comes at other levels. Nill said he would consider people within the organization as well.
"We're looking for a winning pedigree. We want to play fast. We want to play hard. We want to be very good defensively," Nill said. "We are going to look at all different angles. I want to be pretty open-minded about this. You are seeing some success with young coaches coming in, and there are some successful coaches out there that have great resumes. …

"The game is changing, and you have to evolve, and I think it is important that we look at every option."
Nill said he has no timetable for hiring a new coach. With the playoffs underway in the NHL and just about to start in the AHL, some potential candidates could still be heavily involved with their current teams. So, this could take time. And Nill wants to make sure his search is exhaustive.
"I want to get the right guy," Nill said. "I want to make sure we are not leaving somebody out of the equation that deserves to be heard."
As for the future of the team's assistant coaches, Nill said that would be part of the process of the search for a new head coach.
"I don't want to handcuff the new guy, but there are people I want to keep," Nill said. "Whoever we hire has to have some say in that. He has to be comfortable, and we'll see where that goes."
Hitchcock will slide into his advisory role down the road. For now, Hitchcock is going to take some time off.
"I told him to get away for two or three months, and we'll talk. We'll figure it out and go from there," Nill said. "I think he is going to be great. He knows the pro game inside and out. I think he is going to be great for another coach coming in to talk to. There's a wealth of knowledge that we need to tap into, and I think he is excited being part of that."
Hitchcock retires third in coaching wins in NHL history with a record of
823-506-207
during stints with Dallas, Philadelphia, Columbus and St. Louis. Hitchcock won the Jack Adams award as the league's top coach in 2011-12 while he was with St. Louis. He was
319-186-80
over the course of eight seasons with the Stars.
"We were honored to have Ken as our head coach and it was fitting that he finished his coaching here," said Stars owner Tom Gaglardi. "He is a certain Hockey Hall of Fame coach and he left a lasting legacy wherever he went. He will forever be a Dallas Star and I look forward to his continued friendship."
Hitchcock was 86-82 in the playoffs, including 47-33 with Dallas, leading the Stars to a Stanley Cup in 1999 and back to the Stanley Cup Final in 2000. He ranks ninth all-time in playoff wins and eighth in playoff games coached.
"To each and every player that I coached, I wish I could do it all over again," Hitchcock said in his letter. "I am fortunate to be an NHL coach and none of his would be possible without your trust, your commitment and your countless hours at the rink working together for the same goal.
"You guys were the main reason for all the wins and I enjoyed coaching each and every one of you."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.