Verbeek hired as Red Wings assistant GM, reunites with Yzerman

By @StefanKubus –

The two men most prominently attributed with rebuilding the Tampa Bay Lightning are now together again in the Motor City.

The Detroit Red Wings announced the hiring of Pat Verbeek as assistant general manager, an important first move in the Yzerman era.

The news comes one day after Ken Holland reportedly agreed in principle to become the new general manager of the Edmonton Oilers.

Verbeek, 54, served as Yzerman’s right-hand man in the same assistant GM position during their time rebuilding the Lightning in Tampa.

“I’m very excited to return to the Red Wings,” said Verbeek in a press release. “I want to thank the Ilitch family, Jimmy Devellano, Ken Holland and Steve Yzerman for giving me a start in scouting after my playing career and providing a strong foundation for my managerial career. I’d also like to thank the Tampa Bay Lightning for nine tremendous years. I believe there is an exciting young core here in Detroit, and I’m looking forward to working with the rest of the hockey operations staff to get this team back into contention.”

Verbeek also played with Yzerman in Detroit from 1999-2001.

Following his 20-year playing career, Verbeek began as a pro scout for the Red Wings, working four seasons from 2006-10. He then joined the Lightning shortly after Yzerman was hired in Tampa Bay, originally as director of professional scouting, a position he held for two seasons prior to being promoted to assistant general manager and director of player personnel.

The Sarnia, Ont., native served in that role for the last seven years and was responsible for overseeing the team’s pro scouting operations, player recruiting and contract negotiations among other duties serving Tampa Bay’s hockey operations department.