DETROIT — Former Western Michigan hockey head coach Jeff Blashill was introduced as the 27th head coach of the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday morning.

Blashill spent one season as the bench boss for the Broncos, leading the team to a 19-13-10 record and a fourth place finish in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. After a series win in the CCHA Quarterfinals against Ferris State, WMU went on to the CCHA Semifinals for the first time since 1996. At Joe Louis Arena the Broncos trounced Michigan 5-2 for their first shot at the CCHA Tournament Championship since 1986.

WMU ultimately fell to Miami but secured its first berth in the NCAA Tournament since 1996. At the 2011 Midwest NCAA Regional Semifinal, the Broncos fell to Denver 3-2 in double-overtime.

Blashill brought in key pieces like Chase Balisy, Shane Berschbach and Frank Slubowski, who helped the Broncos win the 2012 CCHA Tournament Championship under first-year head coach Andy Murray. He was also key in bringing back alumni Pat Ferschweiler as an assistant coach. Ferschweiler was also an assistant and then associate head coach for Murray for three seasons before rejoining Blashill as an assistant with the Grand Rapids Griffins.