Red Wings Horcoff Gets to See Draft From Another Viewpoint

Detroit Red Wings assistant GM Shawn Horcoff was once that kid sitting anxiously on NHL entry draft day, waiting to hear his name called. His dreams would come true when the Edmonton Oilers were selecting him 98th overall in the 1999 draft.

Horcoff would go on to play 1008 NHL games. Since joining the Red Wings front office in 2016, he’s been spending draft weekend helping welcome newcomers into the Detroit fold.

This season and this year’s draft, though, were an entirely different experience for Horcoff. He was left feeling entirely helpless as it was his son Will who was the anxious prospect hoping to get that magical call.

“It’s a little different, a little more nerve racking,” Horcoff, 46, said of being the parent of a draftee. “I don’t make the amateur decisions, thank goodness, but this is a hard day for everyone.

“This is the future of your franchise but as a parent sitting there, the worst part is not knowing where he’s gonna go.”

Future Penguin Will Horcoff 👊#GoBlue〽️ #ProBlue pic.twitter.com/0LbWfkgr3H

— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) June 28, 2025

Ultimately, Will, a forward from the Michigan Wolverines, wasn’t left waiting for long. The Pittsburgh Penguins would actually trade up to take Horcoff with the 25th overall selection of the first round.

“Obviously an exciting day for all of us,” Shawn Horcoff said. “He’s pretty ecstatic.”

Deja Vu For Red Wings Draper

Having a fellow employee’s son as a top draft candidate put Red Wings director of amateur scouting Kris Draper in a unique position. All season long, he and his staff would be filling out reports on Will Horcoff, warts and all.

“I made sure that Sean can see my reports on his son Will,” Draper said. “I know we take apart everything.

“I’ve known Will for a long time and this is something that he deserved with everything that he’s done to put himself in that situation. He’s a hardworking kid. He’s a great kid. He really loves the game.”

Former @MSU_Hockey star Shawn Horcoff’s son, and current @umichhockey player, Will was just drafted 24th overall in the @NHL draft ❤️#B1GHockey pic.twitter.com/NNKXHWJ1yH

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 28, 2025

Draper could also relate to Sean’s anxiety. In 2020, his son Kienan was an NHL draft prospect.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be obviously a parent, but it’s especially an incredible feeling for . . . Sean played the game. I played the game. And to be able to see our sons being selected at the NHL draft is something special and something that you’re never going to forget.”

Kienan Draper wound up being the 187th overall selection by the Red Wings. He and Will Horcoff are teammates at Michigan.