Dallas Appoints Derek Laxdal to Serve as Texas Head Coach

Jul 3, 2014

CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars, proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Dallas Stars, announced today that Dallas has appointed Derek Laxdal as the fourth head coach in Texas Stars franchise history. He succeeds Willie Desjardins, who served as head coach for Texas from 2012-13 to 2013-14, Jeff Pyle (2011-12) and Glen Gulutzan (2009-10 to 2010-11).

“Derek has a proven track record of developing young players to get the most out of them in a winning environment,” said Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill. “His proven leadership, familiarity with our organization and tremendous character make him a great fit with our culture. We are very excited to welcome him to the Texas Stars.”

Laxdal, 48, just concluded his fourth season as head coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL). During the 2013-14 regular season, Edmonton posted the top record in the Eastern Conference with a 50-19-3 record. Under Laxdal's guidance, the team claimed the Ed Chynoweth Cup as the playoff champions of the WHL, their second under his leadership after also claiming the Cup in 2012. Laxdal and the Oil Kings capped off their tremendous season by capturing the 2014 Memorial Cup as the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Champions. In his four seasons as Edmonton's head coach, he led the team to three 50-win campaigns and an overall record of 182-83-23.

Prior to his stint with Edmonton, Laxdal served as head coach for Dallas' ECHL affiliate, the Idaho Steelheads, for five seasons, posting 40-win seasons each campaign and an overall 219-108-35 regular season record. He also helped the team qualify for the playoffs each season, made two ECHL Final appearances, and in 2007, won the Kelly Cup as the victor of the ECHL championship.

The native of Stonewall, Manitoba, began his head coaching career with the Wichita Thunder in the CHL. He spent three seasons in Wichita from 2002-03 to 2004-05 where he led the team to playoff appearances two times, compiling an 87-58-8 regular-season record as their head coach.

In total, Laxdal's teams have qualified for the playoffs in 11 of 12 seasons, posted a .600 points percentage nine times, advanced to the league final five times, and won three championships in two different leagues.

Laxdal was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the eighth round (151st overall) of the 1984 NHL Draft and played parts of six seasons with Toronto and the New York Islanders, compiling 19 points (12 goals, 7 assists) in 67 career NHL contests. Over his 15-year professional playing career, Laxdall played in 356 career AHL games and registered 230 points (108 goals, 122 assists) and 450 penalty minutes with the St. Catharines Saints, Newmarket Saints, Springfield Indians and Capital District Islanders. He won the 1990 Calder Cup with Springfield and also captured the 1997 B&H Cup with the Nottingham Panthers of the British Ice Hockey Superleague (BISL).

The Texas Stars are preparing to defend their 2014 Calder Cup championship as the 2014-15 season rapidly approaches. Texas Stars season ticket packages for the 2014-15 season are on sale now. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com.