Shawn Horcoff assumes interim control as Detroit seeks a fresh vision for Stanley Cup success, keeping the legendary Steve Yzerman close as a vital strategic resource.
On Tuesday morning, the Detroit Red Wings shook up their front office, confirming that assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff will step in as interim general manager while also taking on general manager duties for the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit's AHL affiliate.
Paired with that news, the organization made official what had been speculated for some time: Steve Yzerman is moving out of the general manager's chair and into a new role as Senior Advisor to the Governor and CEO. The team described Yzerman as a voice that can be an "invaluable resource to leaders throughout the organization" in his new role.
In the same statement, the team addressed the reasoning behind Yzerman's transition, saying, "A thorough evaluation of our hockey operations following this past season's disappointing finish led to discussions with Steve Yzerman and a determination that a change was necessary. This decision was driven by our need for a new vision in hockey leadership while preserving organizational continuity through the offseason and stands independent of other matters." The statement closed by reiterating the organization's gratitude for Yzerman's future contributions in his new role as Senior Advisor.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
The team also used the statement to provide an update on the ongoing general manager search, saying, "We're focused on identifying an innovative decision maker who can lead the Red Wings to Stanley Cup success. We've had substantive conversations with talented executives over the past two months, and it's been gratifying to see such strong interest in this organization and the caliber of candidates involved. This reflects our confidence in where this organization is headed. Our search continues, and we're excited about the path forward."
For now, the keys to the day to day operation belong to Horcoff, whose familiarity with the roster and cap situation makes him a steady hand while Detroit takes its time on a permanent hire.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
