The Detroit Red Wings announced their assistant coach hirings on Friday. The first name to leak out was Jeff Blashill, who was previously the head coach of the Western Michigan hockey program. He left Kalamazoo to fill one of the assistant coach openings, and he is being joined by Bill Peters, the former head coach of the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.
↵Both Blashill and Peters have never coached in the NHL before. Mike Babcock decided to go with two new guys rather than coaches who have more experience. The reason for this is because he wants his new assistants to bring some fresh ideas to the table.
↵↵↵"I've been in Detroit six years and after a while you start to sound like Charlie Brown's teacher -- womp, womp, womp!" Babcock said. "I'm looking for new ideas, new thoughts. We're trying to evolve our game. The way to do that is change. (Players) have heard the same voice for a long time."
↵"I'm looking for young, excited workers are willing to challenge the head coach," Babcock said.
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The Red Wings' two new assistants signed three-year contracts with the team.