In his new role, Horcoff will work alongside Yzerman on all hockey operations matters for the Red Wings, in addition to being responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Griffins, including personnel decisions, contract negotiations and player movement.
"Shawn has a tremendous work ethic and has done a great job developing the prospects within our organization, helping them prepare for the next steps in their careers," Yzerman said in a statement. "The relationships he's formed within the organization - and throughout the hockey community - make him a valuable asset to our future both in Detroit and Grand Rapids, and I look forward to continue working alongside him."
Horcoff, who played in more than 1,000 NHL games from 2000-2016, has already hit the ground running. He was introduced to the media from Grand Rapids, where the Griffins will take on the Ontario Reign Friday night. He expressed his excitement about the new venture, and the trajectory of the organization at both the NHL and AHL levels.
"I think it's just an exciting time in general in our organization, both in Detroit and Grand Rapids," Horcoff said. "I think Grand Rapids, now, obviously it's been no secret the last few years we've had a lot of draft picks, and some of those guys are starting to turn pro and come in here. For me, it's gonna be kind of a seamless transition in that regard, because obviously I've watched and worked with those kids kind of extensively over the last few years. It's gonna be nice to continue that now in a little bit of a different role, more on the pro side now."
Watch: Media Availability 2-4-22 - Shawn Horcoff
With the help of Yzerman, Verbeek, former Assistant GM Ryan Martin and long-time GM Ken Holland, Horcoff has been preparing for this opportunity, and in many ways, has been groomed for it. He has taken advantage of every opportunity provided to him, learning the ins-and-outs of management.
"Right from the outset, when Steve and Pat came in, I couldn't have asked for a better situation. They gave me a little bit more responsibility right off the bat, and kind of expanded my role from the development side into more of the pro and the scouting side," Horcoff said. "They really just had me be around and be involved in all aspects of the organization. So for me, it was just a really good learning experience."
Horcoff will continue to oversee player development, but delegate many of those daily responsibilities to Dan Cleary and Niklas Kronwall. In heading up the hockey operations for the Griffins, Horcoff will become much more involved in other traditional aspects of management, including signing free agents and supplementing the roster with veteran players.
Scouting, drafting and development continues to be Detroit's primary strategy in transitioning Detroit's young prospects to the NHL level. There's also a balance between getting those young players valuable competitive experience in the AHL before they make the leap.
"It is a balance. You want to develop your prospects. In order to do that, your prospects need to play," Horcoff said. "But at the same time, it never works out when you just give anyone anything in life. They have to earn it, and that's what we're gonna do here. We're gonna put them in environments, and we're gonna give them every tool possible, both on and off the ice, to be successful."
The process of being elevated to the Assistant GM role was a result of the position being vacant upon Verbeek's departure. But with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Horcoff had been talking to Yzerman about his role with the organization moving forward.
The opportunity presented by Yzerman was one in which Horcoff jumped.
"Beeker's situation, as we were talking, became clear, like he was gonna be asked to interview for the GM position [in Anaheim]," Horcoff said. "We just kind of waited for that process to take shape. As it looked like he was gonna get that job, Steve just kind of approached me with this opportunity and obviously I was excited about it, and looking forward to it, and happy to take it on."
