Watch Fox 2 Detroit video from the Red Wings Press Conference to Introduce Jeff Blashill
A Ferris State University men's ice hockey alum and former assistant coach has been
tabbed as the first-ever Michigan native or American to lead the National Hockey League's
Detroit Red Wings as one of hockey's "Original Six" franchises officially named Jeff
Blashill as head coach on Tuesday, June 9.
Blashill, who has guided the Red Wings' top affiliate in the Grand Rapids Griffins
for the past three seasons, becomes the second-youngest NHL head coach at 41 years
of age and replaces former head coach Mike Babcock, who departed to lead the Toronto
Maple Leafs.
Born in Southfield and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Blashill was a goaltender at FSU
from 1994-98 and began his coaching career as an assistant under current Bulldog head
coach Bob Daniels after graduating from Ferris State with a degree in finance.
"We're all very proud of Jeff's accomplishments and it's a tremendous opportunity
for him," said Daniels. "I know Jeff wanted to be an NHL coach, and to be afforded
this chance at that level with a class organization from our own state in the Detroit
Red Wings is outstanding."
