TAMPA — Following the Lightning’s Stanley Cup loss to the Avalanche, head coach Jon Cooper stated that his coaching staff is the “heartbeat” of the team and sticks together in both wins and losses.
It was evidence of the closeness that the group has developed during the previous three seasons—three Stanley Cup final appearances and two championships—too.
With the hiring of assistant Derek Lalonde as the Red Wings’ 28th head coach on Thursday, the staff became a little smaller. This is Lalonde’s first NHL head coaching position.
Employed with the Lightning in 2018–19, Lalonde was Cooper’s deputy and took over as head coach following Cooper’s ejection from a game early in March.
In a press release, Lalonde said, “I’m thrilled to be named head coach of the Red Wings.” “I want to express my gratitude to the Red Wings management team, general manager Steve Yzerman, and owner Chris Ilitch and the entire Ilitch family for giving me the chance to oversee this illustrious franchise. I’m eager to start working with our team. Detroit has a very bright future in store.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, Lalonde, 49, met with Yzerman, the general manager of the Lightning before Julien BriseBois, on Tuesday to discuss the head coaching position.
In a statement, Yzerman said, “I’m very pleased to announce Derek as our new head coach.” “He has established himself as a superb coach at all levels and has played in the National Hockey League for the past four seasons as a member of Tampa Bay’s incredibly successful program.” We believe he is prepared to advance in his career and become the Detroit Red Wings’ head coach.
On Tuesday, BriseBois revealed that other organizations had contacted the Lightning about conducting interviews with certain members of their coaching staff.
Jeff Blashill, who did not have his contract’s team option picked up after seven seasons, is replaced by Lalonde.
BriseBois remarked, “We get calls from other organizations when we win.” When I was general manager of our AHL team, I would often tell the players and staff of the AHL Syracuse Crunch, “When we win, we all look better, and people want players and staff members of winning teams.” We’re equally as excellent as players and staff when we lose, but no one wants us and no one is picking our teams.
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