Red Wings name Shawn Horcoff interim GM as search continues

The Detroit Red Wings have promoted assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff to interim GM, the team announced Tuesday.

Horcoff will manage day-to-day roster decisions, salary cap and hockey operations personnel for the Red Wings, reporting to CEO Chris Ilitch. He replaces Steve Yzerman, who left his role as executive vice president and GM in July, while continuing to serve as senior adviser to Ilitch. 

Yzerman, a franchise legend and Hockey Hall of Fame player, was hired in 2019 as the Red Wings' GM to turn their fortunes around. But they missed the playoffs in all seven seasons with him at the helm. Overall, the Red Wings haven't made the playoffs since 2016.

Prior to his promotion to assistant GM in February 2022, Horcoff, 47, spent six seasons as the Red Wings' director of player development and three seasons as assistant director of player personnel.

"As our process continues to find the best possible leader for Red Wings hockey operations, I'm appreciative of Shawn for stepping up to serve in this capacity," said Ilitch. "His knowledge of our organization and range of experience allows us to operate with a clear decision-maker in place for the season ahead, while maintaining our commitment to carry out a thorough, methodical search process on our own timeline. Shawn has my complete support, and the authority to make decisions in the best interests of our organization."

Ilitch said that the team will continue its search for a new general manager, and that Horcoff "remains under consideration for the permanent role."

Horcoff's promotion comes one week after Detroit Tigers GM Jeff Greenberg removed his name from consideration for the head of Red Wings hockey operations, according to multiple reports. Greenberg had previously been associate GM of the Chicago Blackhawks before joining the Tigers in 2023.

"We're focused on identifying an innovative decision maker who can lead the Red Wings to Stanley Cup success. We've had substantive conversations with talented executives over the past two months, and it's been gratifying to see such strong interest in this organization and the caliber of candidates involved," Ilitch said.

The Red Wings didn't offer a timeline to name a permanent general manager but said they would have an update when they "have something meaningful to announce."