Nelson Joining Dallas Stars as Assistant Coach

Head Coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins, Todd Nelson, appears to be on his way out and heading to Dallas to be an Assistant Coach for the Stars.

As reported by Sean Shapiro of the Atheletic Dallas, Nelson is going to be working under newly-appointed Dallas Stars Head Coach Jim Montgomery.

Nelson has been with the Griffins for three complete seasons now, earning a 133-78-4-13 record (.620 Win%), and won the Calder Cup with this team in 2017.

He has previously worked under the Edmonton Oilers organization, becoming the Head Coach for the Oklahoma City Barons in 2010 and then taking over the Oilers position after Dallas Eakins was let go in the 2014-15 season.

He was a finalist for the Arizona Coyotes head coaching job last summer after winning the Calder Cup, but Rick Tochett was chosen in the end.

In all his seasons as an AHL Head Coach, his team has gone to the playoffs – no wonder why he has been attracting NHL attention.

Known primarily as an offensive-minded coach and a powerplay specialist, he looks to help a Dallas Stars powerplay that was only 19th in the league while having some of the most offensive players like Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov.

With John Torchetti not returning to be an Asssitant Coach with the Red Wings, it was rumored that Nelson would be considered to replace him – unfortunately for us he chose the Stars.

It will be interesting to see where the Griffins look for their next Head Coach.