According to Graham Couch of the Kalamazoo Gazette, Western Michigan University hockey coach Jeff Blashill has been named a finalist for the Red Wings vacant head coaching position.
Blashill grabbed the attention of many around college hockey after leading the Broncos to their first NCAA tournament in 15 seasons and the CCHA tournament championship game for the first time in a quarter-century. He confirmed Wednesday that he interviewed for the vacant Red Wings assistant coaching vacancy.
“I am interviewing, but they have not made a decision and I have not made a decision yet,” Blashill said Wednesday afternoon.
“I do expect to know at some point by the end of the week. … I think they are narrowing in to make a decision. And, at that point, I will make a decision.”
Blashill served two seasons as head coach of the USHL’s Indiana Ice. Before that he was an assistant with Miami of Ohio and Ferris State.
Most recently he was named hockey coach of the year by three major college hockey publications.
After Western’s magical run last season, Blashill saw his salary jump from $150,000 to $275,000, with the chance to earn $100,000 more in incentives.
However the prestige of the National Hockey League and especially the Detroit Red Wings would be hard to pass up.
“I think when Mike Babcock calls and Ken Holland calls and the Detroit Red Wings call, you certainly listen,” Blashill said. “Yeah, it’s a potential great opportunity.
“I love Western Michigan. This is a special place in college hockey. I wouldn’t be talking to any other colleges, that’s for sure. But obviously it’s the NHL and the Red Wings are what they are.”
Earlier in the week, Wings GM Ken Holland said that the Wings would like to fill the vacant head coaching vacancies by the end of the week. Wings head coach Mike Babcock further said that he was targeting younger coaches to fill his coaching staff.
Source: Kalamazoo Gazette
