Glen Gulutzan named new head coach for the Calgary Flames

Gulutzan at the helm The Calgary Flames looked west for their next bench boss. Derek Bidwell reports on the hiring of Glen Gulutzan.

The Calgary Flames have named Vancouver Canucks' associate coach Glen Gulutzan as the new head coach on Friday.

Flames' GM Brad Treliving told the media last week that a decision had been made on the new head coach and he would announced details before the draft, which takes place on June 24-25 in Buffalo, N.Y.

On Friday morning, he said that Glen Gulutzan fit the profile they were looking for in a head coach.

"We went through a real thorough process in this search. This is an important person we need to bring into our organization," Treliving said. "We spent really the first while building a profile - what is it that we're looking for? What is the best fit?"

Treliving said they met with a number of intelligent people and many wanted to come to Calgary.

"It became very clear, meeting with Glen early, that this was a perfect match. This is a person who is smart, who is intelligent about the game tactically, structurally."

He says that Gulutzan's communication skills were also excellent.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, from my perspective, to maximize the ability that each player has, that is the best quality to have as a coach."

Treliving says that he also got to know Glen as a person as well as a coach. "He is a very special person; a very special coach."

Gulutzan replaces Bob Hartley who was let go, along with associate coach Jacques Cloutier, in early May.

"What a whirwind here and what a pleasure to be in Calgary," Gulutzan said. "It's an honour to be the head coach for the Calgary Flames."

He said that he has a long history with the organization, keeping in touch with them through the affiliate in Las Vegas.

"I got my foot in the door back then and never thought I would be head coach here now."

Gulutzan says that while he comes from Vancouver, a team which the Flames has shared a rivalry with for some time, he is used to Calgary.

"I cut my teeth here in the NHL and it's a very special honour to be the head coach."

Gulutzan played for a number of seasons in the WHL, with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades.

Calgary isn't the first head coaching job he's taken on. Gulutzan replaced Marc Crawford of the Dalla Stars in June 2011. He was relieved of his duties in May 2013.

Vancouver then took him on as associate coach in July 2013.