Red Wings hire former NHLer Michael Leighton as goaltending coach
A former netminder with loads of experience is back in the NHL in a different role.
On Monday, Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman announced the team has hired former NHL goaltender Michael Leighton as the team’s new goalie coach.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have hired Michael Leighton as Goaltending Coach.
Details: https://t.co/Falho2yPf5 pic.twitter.com/Rap5sQ1Kk4
Leighton takes over from Alex Westlund, who was the Red Wings’ goaltending coach since the 2022-23 season. Prior to being hired by Detroit, Leighton spent the past three seasons as the goalie coach for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League.
The longtime pro will be in charge of a goaltending system that features veterans John Gibson and Cam Talbot in Detroit, while prospects Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine are backstops the team hopes to see in the NHL in the future.
Leighton is a well-known figure at both the NHL and minor-league levels. The Petrolia, Ontario native played 18 seasons of professional hockey, including parts of nine seasons in the NHL. He made stops with the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers. It was with the Flyers that Leighton probably had his most memorable moments, helping the team make an improbable run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010. Unfortunately, the Cinderella story came up short, as Leighton was beaten by Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane in overtime in Game 6, granting Chicago Lord Stanley’s Cup.
In 111 NHL games, Leighton posted a record of 37-43-14, with a 2.98 goals-against average, a .900 save percentage and four shutouts. He had an 8-4 record in the playoffs.
On top of his time in the big leagues, Leighton was one of the best goaltenders to ever strap up his pads in the American Hockey League. During his time in the league, which saw him bounce around to various teams, he was a five-time All-Star, last appearing in the league’s annual showcase in 2017, while as a member of the Rockford IceHogs. In 2007-8, with the Albany River Rats, Leighton won the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s top goaltender.
Leighton ended up winning 250 games in his time in the ‘A,’ fifth all-time in league history. He registered an AHL record 50 shutouts in his career and was named to the AHL Hall of Fame in 2024.