At the end of last season, retiring as a player was an easy decision for Brian Lashoff.
“I know my body has suffered a lot the last two years, with injuries,” he said, “and there’s been a lot of wear and tear from a lot of long seasons and playoff runs.”
Lashoff, a defenseman who spent 14 seasons with Grand Rapids, the last three as captain, decided to listen to his body and retire.
But the player who was previously traded by the Red Wings to Tampa Bay but remained in Grand Rapids will be with the Griffins again this winter – as an assistant coach.
However, the decision was not easy. Lashoff signed with the Red Wings after his junior career ended and, for the most part, never left Grand Rapids.
“Some of my best memories are playing with this team,” he said, “but, every day, it’s harder to play at the level I want.”
A new role
And so, instead of working to get ready for another season on the ice, Lashoff is preparing for his first season behind the bench.
His job was to help shore up a defense that was 30th in the American Hockey League in scoring last season. He will work with Stéphane Julienwho joins the Griffins after a long stint as coach and general manager of Sherbrooke in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“I think bringing in a guy like Stephane is going to be huge,” Lashoff said. “It’s not just for the boys in the room. but also for me. I’m lucky to have a guy like him and (new head coach) Dan Watson to learn from.
“It’s a fresh start for a lot of the guys in the room,” he added. “Everybody wants to make a good impression on the coaching staff, and I think the coaching staff is no different. I think we have a staff that’s ready to take it head-on and put it together team in a position to return to our past victories.
Lashoff is familiar with winning ways, having won two Calder Caps (2013, 2017) in Grand Rapids and playing 132 games over seven seasons in Detroit.
A smooth transition
As a captain, Lashoff is a leader on and off the ice.
“I have a lot to do as a player,” Lashoff said. “Coaching is my main job these days, but I want to help these guys improve, even the older guys. They also want to get better, so you want to give them the best opportunity to get better and win as a team.
Lashoff’s summer was spent working with his new teammates in the coaches’ office, learning how to operate video equipment and other tasks performed by assistants, and kept his focus on what was to come.
“I want it to be good, as opposed to half-baked,” he said. “I want to be everything and help as much as I can.”
That included a firm declaration that his playing days were over, despite being just 32 years old.
“If we have to tie the boots, we’re going to be in trouble,” he said, grinning.