In a subscriber-only article, Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff discusses the fact that Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson spent yesterday night’s preseason opener behind the Detroit Red Wings’ bench:
There was an unfamiliar face behind the bench for the Detroit Red Wings as they were opening the NHL preseason on Tuesday. Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson was helping out on the Detroit bench as the Wings were edging the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 at Little Caesars Arena.
Associate coach Bob Boughner was watching things unfold from high up in the press box while Watson was getting an up close and personal look at the NHL brand of hockey for the first time during his career.
This wasn’t by coincidence. No, in fact it was by design.
“We kind of have a routine we rifle through every American Hockey League coach for one game on the bench, because we believe it’s valuable experience,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. ”Whatever spot he takes, he just assumes his role.”
Continued; so assistant coaches Brian Lashoff and Stephane Julien will likely spend time behind the Wings’ bench this exhibition season, as will video coach Erich Junge.
I know that goaltending coach Roope Koistinen is helping Wings goaltending coach Alex Westlund during practice as well, which makes sense given that the Red Wings are carrying Ville Husso, James Reimer, Alex Lyon, Michael Hutchinson, Sebastian Cossa and Jan Bednar.
