Gulls Grads: Dallas Eakins
Dec 16, 2020SanDiegoGulls.com provides an in depth look at the organization’s young talent that have made an impact on the ice with the Gulls in San Diego and their transition to the Anaheim Ducks. This five-part series highlights Gulls Grads and the development of players through the organization’s ranks to earn a full-time NHL role with the Ducks.
By Andy Zilch/SanDiegoGulls.com
Dallas Eakins joined the Anaheim Ducks organization on June 26, 2015 when he became the first head coach of the San Diego Gulls.
Eakins brought a track record of AHL success to the position. In 312 games as the head coach of the Toronto Marlies - the primary affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs - Eakins compiled a 157-114-41 record. In his four years, the Marlies clinched two postseason berths, including an appearance in the Calder Cup Finals in 2012.
Eakins’ success earned him league honors, as he coached the Western Conference team at the league's All-Star Classic in 2012 and 2013.
His success in Toronto earned Eakins his first NHL coaching opportunity with the Edmonton Oilers. He compiled a record of 36-63-14 in his one-plus seasons behind the bench in Edmonton.
After parting ways with the Oilers, his next coaching assignment didn’t take long to present itself.
The Ducks realized the AHL success, communication and developmental skills Eakins possesses and targeted the former defenseman to lead the team after its move from Norfolk, Virginia. That moment began the success that bred youthful skill and a winning culture in San Diego, a mindset now making its way to Anaheim.
Eakins’ time in San Diego gave the Gulls an advantage on the Pacific Division, with on-ice success and an enviable player development model. In his four seasons at the helm, Eakins led the Gulls to a 154-95-23 record for 331 points and three trips to the Calder Cup Playoffs. The domination of intra-division play speaks for itself, as the Gulls led the Pacific Division in wins, points and points percentage since the division’s inception in 2015-16.
Eakins and the Gulls' postseason success also paid dividends in terms of player development within the organization. San Diego paces the division in playoff wins (17) and playoff series wins (4). The Gulls are the lone Pacific Division club to advance to the Division Finals on three occasions (2016, 2017 and 2019). San Diego (three times), Toronto (four times) and Hershey (three times) are the only AHL clubs to advance to the Division Finals since the inception of the current division format in 2015.
When examining the player-coach relationship, Eakins created a strong bond within the Gulls locker room, translating to quick learning and a strong step forward in progression. Seventeen total players began their professional career with the bench boss and went on to play for the Ducks. In 2016-17, the Ducks saw seven total players make their NHL debut after beginning with Eakins in San Diego. In 2018-19, 25 players appeared in games for both Anaheim and San Diego, with a number of the club’s top prospects playing a pivotal role in helping San Diego to the 2019 Western Conference Finals.
These examples gave Anaheim Ducks Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob Murray all the reason to promote Eakins to head coach of the Ducks on June 16, 2019. His rapport and communication style with the players prepared Eakins before he walked into the doors at Great Park Ice and FivePoint Arena.
“It speeds up the process for me,” said Eakins during his introductory press conference with the Ducks. “We have a number of players in this organization that already understand what I value. I know what they value. They understand expectations when it comes to work ethic, fitness levels, production, how you're going to live your life, all of that. For me, it just really speeds up the process.
“It goes the same with staff, my boss. As unfamiliar as I am with the area because I haven't lived here - I haven't spent a lot of time in the rinks up here - I'm very familiar with everything else, so it just kind of gives me a little bit of a jumpstart on developing the relationships.”
Anaheim's future places a prominent emphasis on a number of young players who spent time developing their game in San Diego. It also values this same experience in its coaching staff. Along with Eakins, five other staff members made the move north after beginning with San Diego, including Goaltending Coach Sudarshan Maharaj, Assistant Coach Marty Wilford, Video Coach Brett Ferguson, Assistant Athletic Trainer Chad Walker and Assistant Equipment Manager Matt Brayfield.
With the strong affiliation continuing to move forward, there is no doubt the Ducks will thrive from the success in San Diego.