Anaheim re-signs Gulls coach Eakins to extension

Photo: Vince Rappleyea

The Anaheim Ducks have signed San Diego Gulls head coach Dallas Eakins to a multi-year contract extension.

“Dallas has provided valuable leadership in San Diego since the Gulls arrived over three seasons ago,” said executive vice president/general manager Bob Murray. “He has helped create a winning tradition and a successful development program with our AHL affiliate. His contract extension is a testament to that.”

Eakins, 51, has led the Gulls to a record of 118-81-5 (.615 points percentage) in three seasons with the team, advancing to the Pacific Division Finals in 2016 and 2017.

In seven seasons as an AHL head coach with San Diego and Toronto (2009-13), Eakins has guided his clubs to a record of 275-210-31 with two division titles and four postseason appearances, including a trip to the Calder Cup Finals in 2012. Eakins was also a member of the coaching staffs at the 2012 and 2013 AHL All-Star Classics.

Before joining the Gulls, Eakins was head coach of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers for 113 games during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. He was also an assistant with the Toronto Marlies in 2005-06 and served in the same role with the NHL’s Maple Leafs for two seasons (2006-08) before spending the 2008-09 campaign as the team’s director of player development.

A 1985 draft pick by the Washington Capitals, Eakins played 120 career NHL games as a defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, New York Rangers and New York Islanders.

The Dade City, Fla., native also suited up in 609 AHL games during his playing career, winning a Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves in 2002.

Anaheim also announced that Marty Wilford has joined Randy Carlyle’s staff as an assistant coach for the Ducks.

Wilford has spent the last seven seasons as an assistant with Anaheim’s AHL affiliates in Syracuse (2011-12), Norfolk (2012-15) and San Diego (2015-18).