Red Wings Name Derek Lalonde Head Coach

July 1, 2022 ~ Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman today announced that the team has named Derek Lalonde the 28th head coach in franchise history.

“I’m very pleased to announce Derek as our new head coach,” Yzerman said. “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, 49, joins the organization after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning. During his tenure with the Lightning, Lalonde helped the team clinch four-straight postseason berths, highlighted by back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in the 2019 – 2020 and 2020 – 2021 seasons.

“I’m thrilled to be named head coach of the Red Wings,” said Lalonde. “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.”

Hear more about the announcement below, and predictions on what may come next for the team, from 760 WJR Sports Analyst Steve Courtney.