The Daily: Ex-Red Wings coach Transforms WMU; Watson to GR

As Western Michigan’s hockey team readies to compete in the Frozen Four on the April 10-12 weekend, there is an undeniable Detroit Red Wings connection.

The Broncos are coached by Pat Ferschweiler who was201 one of Jeff Blashill’s assistant coaches from 2015 to 2019. Ferschweiler is one of the three Blashill disciples who are coaching college teams in Michigan. Adam Nightengale is at Michigan State and Brandon Naurato is at Michigan. Naurato spent three season with Detroit as a player development coach, while Nightengale started as a video coach and then became one of Blashill’s assistant coaches for the 2019-20 NHL season.

But it’s Ferschweiler who has his team in the Frozen Four where it will compete against Denver on Thursday, April 10 at 5 p.m.  in St. Louis (ESPN 2/ESPN+). Penn State and Boston University compete in the other semifinal at 8:30.

"Pressure can only be self-applied."

Western Michigan is heading to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history.

More from @Local4News with HC @patfersch of @WMUHockey on the Broncos' season, an upcoming rematch with Denver & what winning a 🏆 would mean in Kalamazoo. pic.twitter.com/cyrk8WROZL

— Hobie Artigue (@HeyItsMeHobie) April 3, 2025

Ferschweiler was named national college coach of the year for the first time in the school’s history. The Broncos were even ranked the No. 1 team in the country for a brief. That’s the first time that has happened.

One of Western’s players, Cam Knuble, is the son of former Detroit Red Wings player Mike Knuble.

Case You Missed It

Bob Duff writes that Detroit’s NHL playoff chances are starting to feel like the Weekend at Bernie’s cult classic movie.

Detroit captain Dylan Larkin is keenly aware that he needs to step up his game to give his team a fighting chance at the playoffs.

With four losses in a row, the Grand Rapids Griffins have lost their in the AHL playoff race. They have fallen into fourth place.

Former Detroit player Pius Suter scored a career high 22 goals and helped Vancouver establish one of the NHL’s best penalty killing units. He’s an unrestricted free agent this summer. Could he help the Red Wings?

Red Wings Extra

If you are attending the Red Wings game tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network), keep in mind that the Detroit Tigers’ home opener is today. That means parking will be more expensive and there will still be congestion in the area when you arrive at Little Caesars Arena. The Red Wings sent Austin Watson back to the Griffins, which probably means Elmer Soderblom is ready to come back into the lineup. Watson’s arrival in Grand Rapids is good news for the Griffins who are in a four-game losing streak.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: The Bruins looked helpless against the  Canadiens and suffered their 10th consecutive loss. Boston Bruins.

Colorado: Cale Makar becomes only the ninth NHL defenseman to score 30 or more goals. Colorado Avalanche.

New Jersey: James Nichols dives into whether the Devils will be involved in the offer-sheet hype we keep hearing about. More important, Nichols suggests some players the Devils may want. New Jersey Devils.

Philadelphia: William James offers his thoughts on what it would take to persuade David Carle to coach the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski digs into why the Penguins’ youngsters are looking sharp these days. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Vegas: Golden Knights felt coach Bruce Cassidy’s wrath after poor effort against the Winnipeg Jets. Vegas Golden Knights.