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Steve Yzerman Names Derek Lalonde as Red Wings’ Head Coach

Yesterday the Detroit Red Wings named their new head coach. Who is he and what links does he have with the team and its general manager?

Yesterday, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman announced that Derek Lalonde had been named the new head coach of the Red Wings. 

As Yzerman noted in his announcement, “I’m very pleased to announce Derek as our new head coach. 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.”

Lalonde became the 28th head coach in franchise history. He has a long coaching resume, but more recently he’s spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After being named as the coach, Lalonde noted that he was “ready to get to work with our group. There’s a very bright future ahead in Detroit.”

Related: NHL Rumors and Updates: Potential Red Wings Offseason Plans

Lalonde Has a Lot of Coaching Experience

The 49-year-old Lalonde, as an assistant coach with the Lightning, helped his players clinch four-straight postseason berths. He also helped the Lightning’s win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

With Lalonde as part of the behind-the-bench coaching staff, in his first season behind the Lightning’s bench (2018-19), the Lightning set a franchise record with 128 points and won their first Presidents’ Trophy. The team also tied the NHL’s single-season record of 62 wins, which was previously set by the 1995-96 Red Wings.

Yzerman Got to Know Lalonde in Tampa Bay

Red Wings’ general manager Yzerman knew Lalonde well because Yzerman previously worked as Tampa Bay’s general manager. During Yzerman’s leadership (and beyond with Lalonde on their coaching staff) the Lightning became one of the flagship franchises in the entire NHL.

Lalonde was named an assistant coach by the Lightning on July 12, 2018. That’s at a time when Yzerman still served as the team’s vice president and general manager.

Lalonde shared his thrill “to be named head coach of the Red Wings. 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.”

Good luck with your new job.

Related: Goalie Husso’s Agent Hints: Teams, Be Ready to Pony Up

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