Former Jet Dallas Eakins Takes on New Role in Germany

Dallas Eakins has been named head coach and general manager of Adler Mannheim of the DEL.

Former Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose defenceman Dallas Eakins has found a new home for the 2023-24 Deutsche Eishockey Liga season.

Eakins, 56, has been named head coach and general manager of Mannheim, taking over the roles previously held by Johan Lundskog and Jan-Azel Alavaara.

“The developments over the last few weeks have forced us first to think and finally to act," Mannheim owner Daniel Hopp said through translation. "I am convinced that with new impetus at the level of sporting leadership, we will get back on the road to success."

Having spent six seasons as a bench boss in the NHL, on top of two as an assistant, and another nine within the AHL, Eakins found himself out of a job following the 2022-23 season.

Initially landing his first NHL head coaching gig with the Edmonton Oilers in 2013, Eakins then moved on to the Anaheim Ducks for the 2019-20 season, to which he remained at the helm for four years.

Eakins suited up for both the Winnipeg Jets (1992-93, 1995-95) and the Manitoba Moose (2003-04) in his playing career, where he actually retired as a member of the Moose, before transitioning to coaching.

In 120 career NHL games, Eakins had nine assists and 208 penalty minutes. In 609 career AHL contests, Eakins scored 27 times and added 107 helpers and 1,051 penalty minutes.

Now with Mannheim, Eakins will look to help the .500 team (9-8-3-2) back to the top of the standings. Tyler Ennis headlines the list of notably familiar former NHL players making up the current Adler roster.

Mannheim has been booted out of the postseason in semifinal play for three-straight years.