The Detroit Red Wings faced a vacancy in their coaching staff after parting ways with goaltending coach Alex Westland in late April. They have now filled the role by appointing former NHL veteran Michael Leighton as the new goaltending coach.
Leighton will be responsible for managing Detroit’s goaltending duo, including John Gibson, who was recently acquired from the Anaheim Ducks, and Cam Talbot, entering his second season with the team.
Leighton, who has played 110 NHL regular-season games, is connected to current Red Wings players due to his past. Notably, in 2010, Leighton and teammate James Van Riemsdyk helped the Philadelphia Flyers reach the Stanley Cup final, where they were defeated by Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks. Kane’s famous wrist shot, which slipped under Leighton’s pads, secured the Blackhawks’ first Stanley Cup win in 49 years, with Van Riemsdyk on the ice during the historic goal.
Originally drafted by the Blackhawks in 1999, Leighton climbed the ranks through the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, Western Ontario Hockey League, and Ontario Hockey League. He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in January 2003, recording a shutout in his first start against the Phoenix Coyotes, ending in a scoreless tie.
Leighton’s career included brief periods with the Buffalo Sabres, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators before beginning his first stint with the Flyers. In 2009, while with the Carolina Hurricanes, the team signed former Red Wings goaltender Manny Legace after starter Cam Ward suffered a leg injury; Leighton later returned to the Flyers, where he played a pivotal role in their 2010 Stanley Cup final appearance. During the Eastern Conference Finals, he notched three shutouts against the Montreal Canadiens, tying an NHL record for most shutouts in a single postseason series.
Leighton’s professional playing career continued primarily in the AHL until his retirement in 2019. He earned five AHL All-Star Classic nominations and holds the league’s record for the most shutouts (50). He also set records for most saves in a game—stopping 98 shots during a five-overtime game with the Albany River Rats against the Philadelphia Phantoms.
Over his NHL career, Leighton posted a 37-43-14 record, with a 2.98 goals-against average, a .900 save percentage, and four shutouts. In the AHL, he amassed a 250-186-50 record over 507 games, with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.
Fan Take: Michael Leighton’s appointment as Detroit’s goaltending coach brings a wealth of experience and a track record of resilience that could greatly benefit the Red Wings’ netminders. For hockey fans, this move signifies Detroit’s commitment to strengthening its defensive game, which is crucial for the team’s competitiveness and future success.
