Former Calgary Flames head coach and current Edmonton Oilers associate coach Glen Gulutzan delivered an ideal presentation for defensemen. He’s been around the block now, with stops in Vancouver and Dallas, so Glen has seen a clear progression in National Hockey League D-men.
So where do we start?
“Defense starts at the offensive blueline. Work everything back from there.”
Start your focus at the offensive blue line – getting your d-men to join the cycle, staying high with their heels in the neutral zone, and surveying potential breakouts and breaking them up. Keep the play alive and increase your offensive zone time.
SEE ALSO:
- Glen Gulutzan: How to Develop the Complete Defenseman
- (MEMBERS VIDEO) Glen Gulutzan: How to Develop Your Team
- Glen Gulutzan: Defensive Zone Play
Glen Gulutzan
Glen Gulutzan was introduced as an Oilers Assistant Coach prior to the 2018-19 season. He spent the previous two seasons as head coach of the NHL's Calgary Flames. Gulutzan helped the Flames reach the playoffs in 2016-17 and accumulated a record of 82-68-14 in 164 games as Calgary's bench boss.
Gulutzan has 20 years of coaching experience and worked his way up from the WCHL, ECHL, and AHL before landing his first NHL head coaching job with the Dallas Stars in 2011. His NHL career also includes three seasons working as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks.
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