Blashill to be introduced to media tomorrow
As reported last week on Trade Rumors.ca, the Detroit Red Wings have planned a press conference tomorrow morning at the Joe Louis Arena to announce and introduce the new head coach of the Wings, Jeff Blashill. The news today was published by ESPN.com Katie Strang.
Blashill will become the second youngest coach in the NHL, one year older than recently hired John Hynes with the New Jersey Devils. He spent three seasons behind the Grand Rapids Griffins bench (the Detroit Red Wings AHL affiliate team) and was eliminated two weeks ago in the Conference Finals by the Utica Comets. With the Griffins, Blashill had the opportunity to win the Calder Cup in 2013 and take his team to the playoffs in each of his three seasons with Grand Rapids. He had a stint with the Red Wings as an assistant coach to Mike Babcock prior to his tenure as the head coach of the Griffins. His record lifetime with the Grand Rapids Griffin was 134-71-23.
Oilers resign two AHL prospect to two way contracts
In the minor signing category today, the Edmonton Oilers have signed two players from their AHL affiliate to one-year contracts. Edmonton signed defenceman Brad Hunt and forward Andrew Miller. Hunt, 26, played in 62 games last year all with the Oklahoma City Barons, where he recorded 51 points consisting of 19 goals and 32 assists. He led all the defencemen on the Barons in scoring. In addition he played 11 games with the big team where he compiled one goal and two assists. The Ridge Meadows, BC native signed a two way contract.
Andrew miller also played with the Oklahoma Barons last year leading them in goals with 27 and points with 60. He played in 63 games with the Barons and also nine with the Oilers, where he registered one goal and five assists. One interesting note about Miller is that he became the first Oiler to score his first career NHL goal on a penalty shot and the first since 2005 when Jay McClement scored on a penalty shot with the St-Louis Blues. Throughout his career in the AHL, Andrew Miller compiled 94 points and 30 minutes of penalties in 115 games.
