The Toledo Walleye are holding a press conference to formally introduce Calumet, Michigan’s Pat Mikesch as their head coach today at 11 AM EDT, and the event will be streamed on the team’s YouTube channel.
As Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen notes in his “The Daily,” Mikesch has a significant connection to the Red Wings’ current head coach:
The Derek Lalonde influence on the Red Wings’ organization extends beyond the confines of the Detroit bench. The Toledo Walleye named Pat Mikesch as the team’s new head coach.
That means both of the Red Wings’ affiliate teams have coaches who used to serve as Lalonde’s assistant.
Mikesch was Lalonde’s assistant when Lalonde coached the Green Bay Gamblers from 2011-14. New Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson was Lalonde’s assistant when he coached the Toledo Walleye.
Lalonde and Mikesch won a USHL championship together.
“Pat is a diligent work, detailed and organized,” Lalonde said in a statement released by the team. “He will continue the recent success of the Walleye. Great hire by the organization.”
He is replacing Watson in Toledo. Watson spent 14 seasons in Toledo, including the last seven as head coach. Prior to joining Green Bay, Mikesch was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Michigan Tech University, from 2004-11.
