Stars name Todd Nelson as assistant coach

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has appointedTodd Nelson as Assistant Coach. Nelson will serve under newly-appointed Head Coach Jim Montgomery.

"We are pleased to have Todd joining our coaching staff for the 2018-19 season," Nill said. "Todd's experience at various levels has produced a successful coaching style that is defined by his ingenuity and his ability to get the most out of his players. He brings an experienced, yet innovative hockey mind with him to the club, and we are excited for the impact he will make behind the bench."
Nelson, 49, joins the Stars after spending the last three seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he served as the team's Head Coach from 2015-18. During his time in Grand Rapids, Nelson amassed a 133-78-17 record during the regular season, while leading the Griffins to three consecutive trips to the Calder Cup Playoffs. The bench boss also guided the team to the 2017 Calder Cup Final, where they defeated the Syracuse Crunch, four-games-to-two, en route to the Griffins' second Calder Cup championship.

This marks the Prince Albert, Sask. native's third stint behind the bench in the NHL. Nelson took over as Head Coach of the Edmonton Oilers midway through the 2014-15 campaign, posting a 17-22-7 record in 46 games. He also spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2008-10, during which time the Thrashers earned a 70-75-19 record. In addition to his time in the NHL, Nelson served as Head Coach of the AHL's Oklahoma City Barons from 2010-15 before taking over as Head Coach of the Oilers. Under his tutelage, the Barons logged a 176-111-46 record and reached the playoffs in each of his five seasons with the club. He also served as an Assistant Coach with the Chicago Wolves from 2006-08, winning the 2008 Calder Cup, and spent the 2002-03 season as an Assistant Coach with Grand Rapids. Nelson began his coaching career as a player-assistant coach with the United Hockey League's (UHL) Muskegon Fury during the 2001-02 season before returning as the team's Head Coach from 2003-06, helping the Fury to back-to-back UHL championships in 2004 and 2005.

"Todd is going to make a great addition to our staff," Montgomery said. "Todd's track record of success at various levels speaks to the connection he has with, and the investment he makes in, his players. Never afraid to think outside the box, his creativity lends itself to his imaginative and original view of the game that we are happy to bring to our team."
Originally selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fourth round (79th overall) of the 1989 NHL Draft, Nelson recorded one goal (1-0=1) in three career NHL regular-season games with Pittsburgh and Washington, while also skating in four Stanley Cup Playoff contests with Washington. He also recorded 168 points (37-131=168) in 306 career regular-season AHL games with Portland, Hershey, Rochester and Grand Rapids, winning the 1994 Calder Cup with Portland. Additionally, Nelson registered 172 points (28-144=172) in 464 International Hockey League regular-season contests with Muskegon, Cleveland and Grand Rapids.
The remaining members of Montgomery's coaching staff will be named at a later date.