Detroit Red Wings: Pat Verbeek named General Manager of Griffins
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Red Wings continue the march towards training camp. Following the buyout of forward Frans Nielsen, the team made some changes in the front office. The organization recently saw front office executive and right-hand man to Steve Yzerman, Ryan Martin, depart for the New York Rangers front office.
While with the Detroit Red Wings, Martin was working in the team’s front office as well as holding the role of General Manager (GM) of the Grand Rapids Griffins. The Griffins, the teams American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, have been one of the better ones in the recent future, and the Red Wings wasted no time filling the gap in the front office.
The Red Wings opted to give Pat Verbeek the nod. Verbeek is heading into his third season working in the front office. Verbeek is an assistant GM to Yzerman and is now beefing up his role. He will take over Martin’s role with the Griffins.
Verbeek will head into the 2021-22 season as the Grand Rapids Griffins general manager. The Red Wings needed a man for the job, and Verbeek is one of Yzerman’s trusted buddies, so the move should not be all that shocking.
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Detroit Red Wings’ Pat Verbeek has been named general manager of the Griffins.
Verbeek has a storied past with Yzerman, not just on the ice. Besides their three seasons playing together on the ice from 1999 to 2002, the two have worked together over their years in the front office side of things.
The now 57-year old is going to be heading things across the state for the minor league affiliate. It’s an exciting time for the Griffins as they’re going to have a plethora of big-time talent making their way through en route to the Red Wings.
With that being said, Verbeek will have plenty to handle with the Griffins in the upcoming season. The young players who will be making their way through Grand Rapids will have Verbeek working hard.
Not only is he going to manage contracts of those fringy AHL guys as well as team personnel, but he will have a say in player movement and be working on getting players promoted when the time comes.
It’s likely going to be one busy season for Verbeek, but with Yzerman trusting him to this position, there should not be any surprises. Yzerman is going to have a hand in these decisions as the big man in charge, but he can trust Verbeek to make some of those choices given the trust he has.
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As the 2021-22 season inches closer, Verbeek better get familiar with the Griffins and their roster.