Texas Stars announce new head coach

Willie Desjardins will be the next Texas Stars hockey coach, the organization announced June 13.

Desjardins will be introduced at a press conference at 11 a.m. June 14 in the Cedar Park Center alongside Dallas Stars Coach Glen Gulutzan and Texas Stars General Manager Scott White.

"We believe that Willie's track record as a teacher of the game and his ability to develop young players is a perfect fit for the Texas Stars," Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said in a statement. "His knowledge of Glen Gulutzan's system and his familiarity with our prospects will continue to improve player development between Dallas and the Texas Stars."

Desjardins, 55, spent the last two seasons as the Stars' associate head coach, during which the club went 84-64-16.

"I'm extremely excited for the opportunity to become head coach of the Texas Stars," Desjardins said in a news release. "I feel one of my strengths has always been in coaching younger players, and this is a fantastic opportunity to do just that. The Stars organization has a group of very talented prospects coming through the system, and I look forward to helping them develop."