In a move that bridges the gap between the artistry of figure skating and the intensity of professional hockey, Olympic gold medalist David Pelletier is set to join the coaching staff of the NHL`s Dallas Stars. The transition, perhaps unexpected by many, sees a decorated figure skater stepping into the broader role of an assistant coach within a major North American sports league.
Pelletier, a 50-year-old native of Sayabec, Quebec, is widely recognized for his stellar figure skating career alongside partner Jamie Salé. Their crowning achievement came at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, where they captured a gold medal in the pairs event. This victory, however, was steeped in controversy, as they were initially placed second behind the Russian pair before a judging scandal led to them being elevated to share the gold, a rare moment in Olympic history.
Beyond the Olympics, Pelletier and Salé boasted an impressive record, including a world championship title and three Canadian championships, earning them the Lou Marsh Trophy (now the Northern Star Award) as Canada`s top athlete(s) in 2001.
While the leap from figure skating to the NHL bench might seem significant, Pelletier is not entirely new to the world of hockey coaching. For the past 11 years, he has served as a dedicated skating coach for the Edmonton Oilers. In this specialized role, he focused on improving players` fundamental skating techniques – edge work, balance, power, and agility – skills that are surprisingly transferable and critical in the fast-paced environment of the NHL.
His appointment as an assistant coach with the Stars marks a considerable expansion of his responsibilities, moving beyond specialized skating instruction to contribute to broader team strategies and player development under the new coaching regime.
This organizational shift in Dallas is led by head coach Glen Gulutzan, who himself recently joined the Stars after spending the previous seven seasons as an assistant coach… with the Edmonton Oilers. The irony is perhaps not lost on observers: the Stars, having been eliminated from the playoffs by the Oilers for two consecutive years under former coach Peter DeBoer (who was subsequently fired), are now bringing in key personnel directly from the team that bested them, including someone who helped hone the skating skills of their recent rivals.
Pelletier joins a new-look coaching staff assembled by Gulutzan, featuring Alain Nasreddine and Neil Graham as fellow assistant coaches, Jeff Reese overseeing goaltending, and Patrick Dolan and Chris Demczuk handling video duties. This collective aims to inject new perspectives and strategies into the Stars` pursuit of a Stanley Cup.
Pelletier`s unique background offers an intriguing dimension to the Stars` coaching staff. While hockey strategy involves countless facets, superior skating remains a bedrock of individual and team success. His deep, technical understanding of edge control, posture, and efficient movement could provide a distinct advantage in refining players` on-ice capabilities. It will be fascinating to see how the refined elegance and precision of figure skating translate into the power and speed required in the rough-and-tumble world of NHL hockey, guided by an Olympic champion on the bench.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow