Horcoff Joins Red Wings as Player Development Director

Shawn Horcoff has come back to the state of Michigan full-time.

The former Michigan State University star, who retired earlier this year after a 15-season NHL career, has been named director of player development for the Detroit Red Wings, as reported at mlive.com.

Drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft after his sophomore campaign at MSU, Horcoff spent the first 12 years of his professional career with them. He also captained the Oilers, and helped them to within one win of the Stanley Cup in 2006. He joined the Dallas Stars for two seasons beginning in 2013, before finishing up last year with the Anaheim Ducks.

He tallied 186 goals and 325 assists for 511 points in 1,008 NHL regular-season outings, and added 11-19—30 points in 46 Stanley Cup playoff contests, according to hockeydb.com. A native of Castlegar, B.C, Horcoff, 38, played at MSU from 1996 to 2000, and was a member of its NCAA Frozen Four team as a junior. He joined the Spartans after starring with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League

As a senior at MSU, Horcoff was tabbed as the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s Player of the Year and its Best Defensive Forward while leading the conference in scoring, with 14-51—65 totals in 42 games overall. He was also named to the CCHA All-Academic Team and the league’s first All-Conference Team that spring, and was a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist and first team All-America selection, according to uscho.com.

In 155 games in his tenure in East Lansing, Horcoff recorded 50-102—152 points. He also helped the Spartans to two CCHA regular-season titles, two CCHA Tournament championships, and four NCAA Tournament berths while skating for the late Ron Mason.