The Red Wings promote '16-17 ECHL Coach of the Year Dan Watson from head coach of ECHL Toledo to AHL Grand Rapids
On Wednesday, the Detroit Red Wings announced the hiring of Dan Watson as the new head coach of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. Watson had spent the last six seasons as the head coach of Detroit's ECHL affiliate, the Toledo Walleye. He replaces outgoing coach Ben Simon, whose contract was not renewed this summer after five years as Griffins coach.
In the Griffins' press release, Grand Rapids GM (and Detroit assistant GM) Shawn Horcoff said that Watson "established a tremendous winning culture during his six years as head coach in Toledo through his work ethic, communication skills, and the relationships he built with his players. Dan’s passion for player development and familiarity with the Red Wings organization will be vital assets, and we’re confident his experience will lead to the continued growth of our players in Grand Rapids.”
2023-24 will mark the first season ever of Walleye hockey without Watson behind the bench. He joined the organization in 2009 as an assistant coach, before being promoted to associate head coach in 2014 when current Red Wing coach Derek Lalonde was named the Walleye's head man.
In 2016, when Lalonde left Toledo to lead the Iowa Wild in the AHL (before eventually signing on as an assistant under Jon Cooper in Tampa, then working his way back to Detroit last summer), Watson took over as head coach.
In his six years as Walleye bench boss, Watson never missed the playoffs. His Walleye played in two Kelly Cup Finals (2019 and 2022), won three division titles, and had three regular seasons with 100 points or more. He won the '16-17 John Brophy Award as ECHL coach of the year. Last season, Watson led Toledo to a 45-19-5-3 record and conference finals appearance in the Kelly Cup playoffs.
In the same press release, Watson said "I am extremely excited and honored to become the next head coach of the Griffins. I look forward to getting the privilege of working with each player to make them better while creating a positive work environment. This is a very important time in the Red Wings organization and a big challenge. We will work hard to put a competitive team on the ice that the fans can be proud of.”