Red Wings Make Major Shawn Horcoff Decision as GM Search Drags On

Shawn Horcoff will oversee Detroit’s hockey operations as the Red Wings continue their search for a permanent general manager.

View of a Detroit Red Wings logo on a jersey. Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Detroit Red Wings finally have a general manager heading into training camp — even if the title is only temporary.

On Tuesday morning, Detroit announced that Shawn Horcoff has been named the team’s interim general manager as the organization continues its search for a permanent leader of hockey operations. Horcoff, who has served as the Red Wings’ assistant general manager and the general manager of the Grand Rapids Griffins, will now have full authority over the team’s day-to-day hockey operations. 

The move gives Detroit some much-needed clarity with training camp set to open Thursday. The organization has spent the summer searching for Steve Yzerman’s replacement after Yzerman transitioned into a senior advisor role in July.

Horcoff Provides Some Much-Needed Stability

While Horcoff’s interim title is new, his familiarity with the organization is not. He joined the Red Wings in 2016 as director of player development and eventually moved into the front office, becoming assistant general manager in 2022. He has also spent the past several seasons overseeing the Grand Rapids Griffins. That experience made him a logical choice to handle the Red Wings while the organization continues its search.

Detroit CEO Chris Ilitch emphasized that Horcoff’s knowledge of the organization and experience will allow the team to have a clear decision-maker in place without forcing the franchise to rush its search for a permanent executive. 

Meanwhile, Horcoff will remain in consideration of the permanent position while the search continues. 

Detroit Still Has Plenty of Work to Do

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Training camp is just days away, and Detroit enters the season with several major questions still unresolved. Simon Edvinsson remains a restricted free agent, while Dylan Larkin’s future with the organization remains uncertain after the former captain requested a trade.

Larkin is expected to attend training camp, but the Red Wings’ leadership situation has added uncertainty to his situation. Now, Horcoff can actually make the decisions necessary to move those situations forward.

This is a major change from the past two months, when he was handling many of the team’s day-to-day responsibilities while the organization continued its GM search. The Red Wings can now operate normally while they determine who they want leading the franchise long term.

The Search Continues

As useful as Horcoff’s promotion is, it doesn’t solve Detroit’s biggest front-office question. The organization still needs to find the person who will ultimately shape its next era.

Detroit missed the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season last year, extending the longest postseason drought in franchise history. The decision to move on from Yzerman was ultimately about finding a new vision for the hockey department, and that vision still needs to come from the permanent hire. 

Horcoff could ultimately prove to be that person. His familiarity with the organization, experience in player development and work with the Griffins make him a legitimate candidate. But until the search is complete, the Red Wings have opted for continuity, which is probably the best outcome for the franchise at this stage.