Red Wings hire Renney as assistant coach

The Detroit Red Wings hired Tom Renney as an associate coach, the team announced on Thursday.

Renney is set to replace former assistant Jeff Blashill, who became the head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.

“He’s a hard-working guy who has had lots of success in the game,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said in a statement. “I couldn’t have found a more experienced guy — that’s just the facts.”

According to the Detroit Free Press, Renney signed a three-year deal with the Red Wings.

Renney spent the past two seasons as the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, where he compiled a 57-85-22 record. His contract was not renewed at the end of the 2011-12 season.

The 57-year-old has been a head coach in the NHL for nine seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and Oilers. He has a 260-255-9-68 record and has made the playoffs three times.

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