The Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday announced the hiring of Pat Ferschweiler as assistant coach and Dave Noel-Bernier as video coach.
Ferschweiler, 45, and Noel-Bernier, 39, recently concluded their first professional seasons as assistant coaches under Jeff Blashill, who became the head coach of the Red Wings on June 9.
During 2014-15, the trio helped the Grand Rapids Griffins capture a Midwest Division title with a 46-22-6-2 regular-season record, before leading the team to its second Western Conference Finals appearance in three seasons. In addition to stringing together a franchise-record 19-game point streak (15-0-3-1) from Feb. 4-March 20, Ferschweiler and Noel-Bernier assisted the Griffins in becoming the 11th team in AHL history to win a best-of-five series after trailing 0-2 during the conference quarterfinals against the Toronto Marlies.
Ferschweiler and Noel-Bernier become the first two assistant coaches in Grand Rapids history to earn a direct promotion to the NHL; three others have served as NHL assistant coaches after departing from the team: Curtis Hunt (Ottawa Senators, 2008-09), Kelly Miller (New York Islanders, 2001-03), and current Grand Rapids head coach Todd Nelson (Atlanta Thrashers, 2008-10).
