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'The Duke' to take over at Green Bay United

By Michael Trzinski - WiPH Staff, 08/23/15, 7:30PM CDT

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Dutkowski to assume top position at GBU

Last year, David 'Duke' Dutkowski was an assistant coach on the Green Bay United Gryphons, a squad that finished the season with a record of 1-22.

This year, Dutkowski takes over as head coach after long-time coach Kipp Karakas stepped down to become goalie coach at St. Norbert College.

Dutkowski has been both a head coach and an assistant coach at several levels. He coached at the Pee Wee youth level in Green Bay, for WEHL, and for two years at DePere (varsity). He also was an assistant for GBU for the last four years.

While at DePere between 2009-11, Dutkowski's Voyageurs compiled a record of 13-31-4.

"My two years at De Pere were rebuilding years," said Dutkowski. "I had the youngest team in the league both years. Once I left , the team had great success with those same players as upperclassmen." 

The next two years DePere won a total of 29 games, including a 19-6-1 season in 2012-13.

The Gryphons have faced a similar situation as of late, having had five freshmen in their starting lineup two years ago.

"This season will be the first time these players will be playing against kids their own age, most being juniors," noted Dutkowski.

"This will be the deepest team GBU has had in over five years," Dutkowski said. "Not sure how we will stack up against the top of the FRCC, (but) I am hoping to make some noise and get these boys noticed." 

Although Dutkowski lost one son through graduation--captain Ty, he has two others playing for him this year: sophomore forward Brian and freshman goalie Brett.

Duke played his college hockey at the University of Northern Iowa before getting into coaching in the Fox Valley. Hockey runs in his blood, as his father played at Colorado College (1959-62) and then for the USHL Waterloo Blackhawks. He then coached high school hockey in Waterloo, winning five state titles.

Duke adds:
"I'd like to thank Kipp for everything he has done building the program into what it is today, and that I am honored to be able to take what he has done and apply my coaching style and philosophies. Plus I'd also like to thank East Activities Director Tim Flood for giving me the opportunity to take over this program and look forward to coaching this team, working with all of the student-athletes and getting them ready for the next chapters in their lives."