Jeff Blashill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jeff Blashill |
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Blashill in 2013
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| Born | December 10, 1973 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Coached for | Detroit Red Wings | ||
| Coaching career | 1999–present | ||
Jeff Blashill, born on December 10, 1973, is an American professional ice hockey coach. He is currently an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHL is the top professional ice hockey league in North America. Before this, he was the head coach for the Detroit Red Wings, another NHL team. Blashill has also coached for many other teams, including the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League (AHL), which is a minor league for hockey players. He also coached college teams and junior teams.
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Playing Hockey
Jeff Blashill was born in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, a town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He played college ice hockey as a goalie for Ferris State University from 1994 to 1998.
During his first year, he was named the team's Rookie of the Year. He also earned a spot on the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) All-Academic Team in 1997. Before college, Blashill played junior hockey for the Des Moines Buccaneers from 1991 to 1994.
Coaching Career
After his playing days, Blashill started his coaching journey. He joined his old team, the Ferris State Bulldogs, as an assistant coach in 1999. He worked there for three seasons. In 2002, he moved to Miami University to be an assistant coach for the RedHawks.
Coaching Junior Hockey
In 2008, Blashill became the head coach and general manager of the Indiana Ice. This was a top junior hockey team in the United States Hockey League (USHL). In his very first season, the Indiana Ice won the Clark Cup. This trophy is given to the USHL champions.
Coaching College Hockey
On April 6, 2010, Blashill became the head coach of Western Michigan University's Broncos team. In his first year, he led Western Michigan to a great season. They finished in the top four of the CCHA and played in the CCHA Championship game. They also made it to the 2011 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament. This was their most successful season in 15 years! After this amazing year, he won several "Coach of the Year" awards.
Coaching in the NHL and AHL
In July 2011, after just one season with the Broncos, Blashill got a big opportunity. He accepted an assistant coaching job with the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. He worked under head coach Mike Babcock.
On June 25, 2012, Blashill became the head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins are the main minor league team for the Red Wings in the American Hockey League (AHL). This means players often move between the Griffins and the Red Wings.
On June 18, 2013, the Griffins, led by Blashill, won the Calder Cup. This was their first time ever winning the AHL championship!
In his second season with Grand Rapids, Blashill won the Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award. This award is given to the AHL's most outstanding coach. During his two seasons as head coach, he led the Griffins to a combined record of 88 wins, 48 losses, 2 ties, and 12 overtime losses. His teams were very consistent, often winning many games in a row.
On June 4, 2014, Blashill signed a new three-year contract with the Red Wings organization. This meant he would continue to coach the Griffins. On April 1, 2015, Blashill made history for the Griffins. He became the first coach to have three seasons with 40 or more wins and 90 or more points. In his three seasons with the Griffins, he had 134 wins, 71 losses, 12 ties, and 11 overtime losses. He is the only coach in Griffins history to make the playoffs three years in a row.
Head Coach of the Detroit Red Wings
After Mike Babcock left the Detroit Red Wings, Jeff Blashill was named the new head coach on June 9, 2015. He stayed with the Red Wings for seven seasons. During his time as head coach, he led the team to a total of 204 wins, 261 losses, and 72 overtime losses. On April 30, 2022, the Red Wings decided not to extend his contract.
International Coaching
Blashill has also coached for Team USA four times in international competitions. These include the 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, the 2009 World Junior A Challenge, the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
Personal Life
Jeff Blashill was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. His father, Jim Blashill, was a professor at Lake Superior State University for over 30 years. Jim used to be a police officer in Detroit before becoming a criminal justice professor. Jeff Blashill is married and has three children. His brother, Tim Blashill, also played and coached college hockey. Tim now coaches high school hockey in Big Rapids, Michigan. He also works at Ferris State University's Ewigleben Arena.
