Detroit has put Shawn Horcoff behind the desk as interim general manager, giving the former NHL center full control of hockey operations while the Red Wings continue their search for a permanent leader.
SEO Title: Shawn Horcoff Named Interim General Manager of Detroit Red Wings
SEO Description: Shawn Horcoff takes over as Detroit Red Wings interim general manager, replacing Steve Yzerman as the club begins camp and continues its search for a permanent hockey operations chief.
Horcoff takes over Detroit hockey operations
Horcoff was appointed Tuesday, filling the vacancy left when Steve Yzerman was removed as executive president and general manager on July 15. Yzerman had held the GM job since April 19, 2019, and has shifted into a senior adviser role.
Red Wings governor and CEO Chris Ilitch said the club wanted a clear decision-maker in place for the season while refusing to rush its broader search.
Ilitch said Horcoff’s familiarity with the organization and his varied front-office background make him equipped to run the department during the transition. He added that Horcoff has his full backing and can make whatever decisions serve Detroit’s interests.
- Horcoff turns 48 on Thursday.
- He joined Detroit in 2016-17 as director of player development.
- He has worked as an assistant general manager since 2021-22.
- He has also served as general manager of the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s American Hockey League affiliate, since that season.
- He remains one of the candidates being considered for the full-time position.
Search remains open despite interim promotion
Detroit said its search for a head of hockey operations has drawn interest from established executives around the league. The club intends to move methodically rather than hire against a calendar, with Horcoff among the people still under review for the permanent job.
The organization said Horcoff has been involved in all major discussions over the past several months and entered training-camp preparations already aware of the club’s direction, its player picture and the decisions underway. Detroit pointed to his working knowledge of its roster, contracts and internal structure as the reason it is comfortable handing him full authority.
In explaining Yzerman’s departure, the Red Wings said a review following the previous season’s poor finish led management to conclude that new hockey leadership was needed. The club said the move was separate from any other issues and thanked Yzerman for his work with the franchise.
A slide that changed the season
The leadership change follows a collapse that kept Detroit out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a 10th straight year. The Red Wings finished 41-31-10, extending a drought that followed the franchise’s record run of 25 consecutive postseason appearances.
Detroit was in a far different position on Jan. 25, when its 32-16-5 record had it level with the Carolina Hurricanes for the top mark in the Eastern Conference. The Red Wings then went 9-15-5 the rest of the way and missed the postseason.
- Final record: 41-31-10.
- Record through Jan. 25: 32-16-5.
- Record after Jan. 25: 9-15-5.
- Current playoff drought: 10 seasons.
Larkin’s status adds to camp storyline
Detroit’s camp will also open without Dylan Larkin holding the captaincy. On Sept. 11, it was announced that Larkin would no longer wear the “C” after requesting a trade shortly after the season ended.
Larkin said he would still report to training camp as the Red Wings work through their leadership transition.
Horcoff brings 16 years of NHL playing experience to the interim role. Edmonton selected him in the fourth round, No. 99 overall, in the 1998 NHL Draft. He played 1,008 regular-season games from 2000 through 2016 with the Oilers, Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks, producing 186 goals, 325 assists and 511 points. In 46 playoff games, he recorded 11 goals and 19 assists for 30 points.
