Former Ferris State Hockey Assistant Tabbed To Lead AHL's Iowa Wild

Big Rapids, Mich. - Yet another former Ferris State University men's ice hockey assistant coach continues to climb the ladder as Derek Lalonde was introduced Monday as the new head coach of the American Hockey League's (AHL) Iowa Wild at a press conference in Des Moines.

Lalonde will take the reins of the Minnesota Wild's AHL affiliate following two impressive seasons as the head coach and general manager of the East Coast Hockey League's (ECHL) Toledo Walleye in the Detroit Red Wings' system.

"It is with mixed emotions that I leave Toledo," said Lalonde. "From the first time I visited, Toledo has embraced my family and me.  I am extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish in two years with the support of the Walleye staff, my coaching team, the players and the incredible Walleye fans."

In his two seasons in Toledo, Lalonde, 43, compiled a record of 97-35-12 overall with two-straight playoff appearances.  He led the Walleye to back-to-back ECHL Eastern Conference and North Division regular-season championships after making a league-record 58-point improvement during his first season.  Following his first season (2014-15) with the Walleye, the ECHL named Lalonde the recipient of the John Brophy Award for ECHL Coach of Year.

"The Walleye organization could not be more proud of the job he has done," said Toledo Walleye General Manager Neil Neukam. "We thank Derek for his passion, his efforts and wish him the very best in what will undoubtedly be a continued successful career."

Toledo Walleye President and CEO Joe Napoli echoed similar comments.

"Derek Lalonde is a fine coach and an even better person and mentor", he said. "We brought Derek in to build great things in Toledo, a culture of success, and he did that.  He helped reshape the Walleye program and Iowa is fortunate to have him."

Prior to his stint in Toledo, Lalonde guided the United States Hockey League's (USHL) Green Bay Gamblers in the junior ranks. He compiled a 125-65-14 mark in Green Bay, earning USHL Coach of the Year honors after leading the Gamblers to the Anderson and Clark Cups in 2011-12.

Formerly, he was an assistant coach in the college ranks with five schools from 1995 to 2011, including Ferris State. He worked under FSU head coach Bob Daniels from 2002-06, helping the Bulldogs to the school's first-ever Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Regular-Season Championship in 2002-03.

Another former Bulldog assistant coach and player, Jeff Blashill, is currently a head coach in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings and previoulsy served as an AHL head coach with the Grand Rapids Griffins, which he guided to the 2013 AHL Calder Cup Championship.

The Brasher Falls, N.Y., native also has experience as a coach on the international stage. He served as an assistant with the United States World Junior U-19 team, which captured a gold medal at the 2012 World Junior "A" Challenge in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. He also served as the head coach for the United States World Junior U-19 at the 2013 World Junior "A" Challenge, once again winning gold.

Lalonde's coaching experience included serving as an assistant coach at the University of Denver (2006-2011), Ferris State (2002-2006), Hamilton College (2000-2002), Lebanon Valley College (1998-2000) and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (1995-1998). He played collegiate hockey at Cortland State (N.Y.) from 1991-95 as a goaltender. 

Lalonde and his wife, Melissa, have two sons, Alex, Luke and a daughter Abby. His wife, the former Melissa Eging, served as Ferris State's head women's soccer coach for three seasons from 2003-05.