Ferris State Hockey Alum & Former Coach Jeff Blashill Tabbed To Lead NHL's Detroit Red Wings!

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Big Rapids, Mich. - A Ferris State University men's ice hockey alum and former assistant coach has been tabbed as the first-ever Michigan native or American to lead the National Hockey League's (NHL) Detroit Red Wings as one of hockey's "original six" franchises officially named Jeff Blashill as head coach on Tuesday.

Blashill, who has guided the Red Wings' top affiliate in the Grand Rapids Griffins for the past three seasons, becomes the second-youngest NHL head coach at 41 years of age and replaces former head coach Mike Babcock, who departed to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Born in Southfield and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Blashill was a goaltender at FSU from 1994-98 and began his coaching career as an assistant under current Bulldog head coach Bob Daniels after graduating from Ferris State with a degree in finance.

"We're all very proud of Jeff's accomplishments and it's a tremendous opportunity for him," said Daniels. "I know Jeff wanted to be an NHL coach, and to be afforded this chance at that level with a class organization from our own state in the Detroit Red Wings is outstanding."

"We've had a number of former players go on to achieve success in the National Hockey League and to now have a former player and assistant coach move into this role speaks volumes for our program and the success we've enjoyed," he added. "More importantly, I'm excited for Jeff on a personal level as he's an individual with great class and a good friend."

The Bulldog alum led the American Hockey League's Griffins to a 134-71-23 overall record the last three years, which included the AHL Calder Cup Championship in 2013. He was named AHL Coach of the Year in 2014 and led the Griffins back to the conference finals this past year.

Blashill was named by the Red Wings as the ninth head coach in Griffins history on June 25, 2012 after serving as an assistant coach for the Wings in 2011-12, when he helped the team to its 12th consecutive 100-point season and 21st consecutive postseason appearance under Babcock's direction. Prior to joining the organization, he served as the head coach of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's (CCHA) Western Michigan Broncos in 2010-11, earning several national coach of the year honors.

Blashill has rapidly ascended hockey's coaching ladder, joining his fourth team in four seasons when he took the Grand Rapids helm, which was capped with yet another championship effort in his distinguished career during his initial campaign. He began his head coaching career with the USHL's Indiana Ice in 2008-09, capturing a franchise-record 39 wins and a Clark Cup championship. He compiled a 72-43-5 mark in two seasons as the Ice's head coach and general manager before departing for Western Michigan in 2010.

While in Kalamazoo in 2010-11, Blashill led the Broncos to a 19-13-10 record, doubling the team's win total from the previous season and leading the team to its best conference finish (4th) since 1995-96. Additionally, the Broncos played in the CCHA championship game for the first time since 1986 and earned their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1996. Blashill was named a finalist for CCHA Coach of the Year and was named National Coach of the Year by College Hockey News, Inside College Hockey and USCHO.com.

Blashill began his coaching career by spending three seasons (1999-02) as an assistant under Daniels at Ferris State, his alma mater. He also spent six seasons (2002-08) with Miami University, helping the CCHA's RedHawks qualify for the NCAA Tournament four times while recruiting three Hobey Baker Finalists, four CCHA All-Rookie Team members, 11 first or second team All-CCHA players and six All-Americans. Blashill has also been a member of Team USA's coaching staff three times – at the 2009 World Junior 'A' Challenge, the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2006 U-18 Junior World Cup.

The former goaltender spent four seasons between the pipes for Ferris State, earning the Bulldogs' Rookie of the Year award in 1994-95 and a spot on the CCHA's All-Academic Team for 1996-97. He also garnered the Ferris State University President's Award for three straight years for having the highest grade point average on the Bulldogs.

Blashill continues to support Bulldog Hockey and annually makes the trek back to Big Rapids each August for the annual alumni golf outing.

"Jeff has continued to stay involved with Bulldog Hockey over the years and I don't expect that to change," said Daniels. "We're very thrilled for him to get this opportunity and it is well-deserved."