Red Wings assistant GM Shawn Horcoff Shawn Horcoff saw his son, Will, be drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins 25th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday. Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff took note of Shawn’s comments regarding his status “draft-day dad”…
“It’s a little different, a little more nerve racking,” Horcoff, 46, said of being the parent of a draftee. “I don’t make the amateur decisions, thank goodness, but this is a hard day for everyone. This is the future of your franchise but as a parent sitting there, the worst part is not knowing where he’s gonna go.”
Ultimately, Will, a forward from the Michigan Wolverines, wasn’t left waiting for long. The Pittsburgh Penguins would actually trade up to take Horcoff with the 25th overall selection of the first round.
“Obviously an exciting day for all of us,” Shawn Horcoff said. “He’s pretty ecstatic.”
As well as those of Horcoff’s colleague, Red Wings assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper. Draper had the honor of drafting his son, University of Michigan forward Kienan Draper, five years ago:
Draper could also relate to Sean’s anxiety. In 2020, his son Kienan was an NHL draft prospect.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be obviously a parent, but it’s especially an incredible feeling for . . . Shawn played the game. I played the game. And to be able to see our sons being selected at the NHL draft is something special and something that you’re never going to forget.”
Continued; I’m a little bummed out about the Wings not drafting Will Horcoff as the very raw prospect is a tremendous physical specimen, but the Wings stuck to their list and drafted a player whose “compete level” is off the charts in Carter Bear. Sometimes you pick who you pick.
