GRAND RAPIDS (1660 THE FAN) – After leaving Western Michigan to assume the assistant coaching role with the Detroit Red Wings, Jeff Blashill is now the head coach for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Blashill becomes the ninth head coach in program history, taking over for Curt Fraser who was named assistant coach for the Dallas Stars. This will be Blashill’s third job in the past three years.

The 38-year old Ferris State grad guided Western Michigan hockey to the program’s first CCHA championship game since 1986, finishing his only season with the Broncos with a 19-13-10 record. In a statement Monday, Wings GM Ken Holland cited Blashill’s strong roots in West Michigan as an important factor in considering him for the job.

The Red Wings don’t have a timetable for finding an assistant coach. A formal announcement from the Griffins is expected later this week.