Daily Faceoff’s Anthony DiMarco profiles Red Wings assistant GM and Grand Rapids Griffins GM Shawn Horcoff today, and DiMarco’s interview is both lengthy, in-depth and very much so worth your time;
His role in Detroit has since elevated quite significantly since starting out in player development, as Horcoff now not only holds the title of assistant GM with the Red Wings but also the GM of the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL. The elevation of Horcoff was fast tracked after Holland moved on to the Oilers and was succeeded by Steve Yzerman
“I run the team in Grand Rapids, working closely with the coaching and development staff and making sure our plan in Detroit is being executed down there,” Horcoff said. “Secondly, I work closely with Steve on the professional side. I watch a lot of pro hockey and have a big player personnel role.”
Many players will take the route of coaching in their post-playing career. In the ever growing/evolving media world, many elect to become on-air analysts, as well. Media was never something Horcoff considered – he wanted to stay involved with the game. He had thought about coaching in the past, but the first opportunity was in player development which he really enjoyed. Not knowing exactly what management entailed when he first got in, being part of a front office allowed Horcoff to still have intimate ties to hockey.
“I loved being on the ice with the guys in player development, it was a great transition,” Horcoff said. “As a player all you know is the locker room, it’s all I’ve known my whole life and all of the sudden it’s gone. Being around a professional locker room was great for the transition in that regard.”
In addition to being one of the faces of the Oilers during the 2000s, Horcoff served as the team’s captain from 2010 until he left as a free agent in 2013. Having the experience of leading a locker room and helping along younger players has aided Horcoff in his two roles with the Red Wings’ organization.
“It has helped massively; leadership in any role in management in any industry is probably the first and foremost thing you’re relied upon for,” Horcoff said. “When it came to player development, I had already kind of been doing my last two or three seasons as a player being around younger players as the older guy to help impact them. Before I left Edmonton we drafted a lot of top draft picks in Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle – the list goes on. In Dallas I was around Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin who were the younger guys. I was able to share my experiences with these guys and do the same thing after transitioning to player development.
“What was fortunate for me is that I played all forward positions – from fourth line left wing to first-line center, to power play and all special teams. There wasn’t a position or role that I wasn’t comfortable talking about with a younger player. You’re there as a soundboard for these younger guys and help them learn what it takes to stay in the league.”
