The Detroit Red Wings have placed a familiar face in their vacant general manager role, for now.
The NHL club announced Tuesday morning that it has named assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff as its interim general manager.
Franchise legend Steve Yzerman stepped away from that role earlier this summer and will serve as a senior advisor to team owner and governor Christopher Illitch.
Horcoff will handle day-to-day roster, salary cap, and hockey operations for the time being, while continuing to serve as the GM for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Wings' AHL affiliate.
Illitch said that the search, though, may not be complete.
"Our search has attracted significant interest in the head of hockey operations position from respected leaders across the industry, and several of those candidates, including Shawn, remain under consideration for the permanent role," said Illitch in a statement. "Identifying and hiring the right leader is essential to our franchise's future, and we remain committed to being deliberate and thorough in this process. We're grateful for our players, staff, and fans for their support as we work toward this pivotal hire."
A native of British Columbia, the 47-year-old Horcoff played college hockey at Michigan State and was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 1998. He received a degree in finance and mathematics at MSU before beginning his NHL career, which lasted 1,008 games. Most of his career was in Edmonton, but he then played two seasons with the Dallas Stars and ended his career with the Anaheim Ducks in 2016.
Upon announcing his retirement, Horcoff was hired by the Red Wings as their director of player development.
The franchise, which holds the record for American NHL teams with 11 Stanley Cups, is at a crossroads. The Red Wings have missed the playoffs for the past ten years, the longest active drought in the league. Team captain Dylan Larkin, a Michigan native who has played his entire NHL career in Detroit, asked for a trade earlier this summer, but has since promised to report to Detroit's training camp.
Todd McLellan will return as the Wings' head coach.
