The Detroit Red Wings have found their next head coach, and as expected, he’s coming to the Motor City from down south. Minutes ago, the Red Wings announced that former Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Derek Lalonde has been named the 28th head coach in franchise history:
UPDATE: Detroit #RedWings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman today announced that the team has named Derek Lalonde the 28th head coach in franchise history.
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— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 30, 2022
“I’m very pleased to announce Derek as our new head coach,” Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman said. “He has proven himself as an excellent coach at every level and has spent the last four seasons in the National Hockey League as part of a very successful program in Tampa Bay. We feel he is ready to take the next step in his career as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings.”
Derek Lalonde is the 28th Detroit Red Wings head coach
“I’m thrilled to be named head coach of the Red Wings,” said Lalonde. “I’d like to thank Chris Ilitch and the entire Ilitch family, as well as Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings management team for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this historic franchise. I’m ready to get to work with our group. There’s a very bright future ahead in Detroit.”
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“On behalf of the entire organization, I’d like to welcome Derek, his wife, Melissa, and their three children – Alex, Luke, and Abby – into our Red Wings family,” said Christopher Ilitch, Detroit Red Wings Governor, President and CEO. “Derek has an impressive resume, particularly the work he’s done with young players and prospects throughout his career. We’re excited to have him leading the charge behind the Red Wings bench. I’d also like to commend Steve and his staff for conducting a very thorough and detailed search process. We have the greatest fans in hockey, and they deserve a team that consistently competes for Stanley Cup championships. We’ll continue to work diligently towards that goal under the leadership of Steve and Derek.”
Lalonde had just helped the Lightning advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third consecutive year, where their dreams of becoming the 1st NHL squad since the early 1980’s New York Islanders to win three straight championships were dashed by Detroit’s former rival, the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night.
He already has a past tie to the Red Wings, having led their ECHL affiliate Toledo Walleye to two divisional championships while also earning the John Brophy Award as ECHL Coach of the year his first season. He later took over as head coach of the AHL’s Iowa Wild before being brought aboard by Yzerman and the Lightning in 2018.
Congratulations Derek!!! we are all so proud of you here at home in Brasher!!!