Red Wings promote Jeff Salajko to Goaltending Coach

The Detroit Red Wings announced today that they have promoted Jeff Salajko to Goaltending Coach. Salajko was the goaltending development coach for the Wings’ AHL affiliate, Grand Rapids Griffins, and has held that position for the past three years.

Salajko has worked with Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek for part of two seasons and even last season for a few practices in Columbus. Salajko was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 1993, but never reached the NHL. This hiring comes off the heels of the Wings parting ways with Jim Bedard, who had been Detroit’s goalie coach since 1997.

It’ll be interesting to see how this move pans out. The Red Wings have been like a roller coaster in net. They’ve had great nights and they’ve also had nights that make you want to scream in frustration. Salajko has developed some promising young netminders in Grand Rapids. We’ll see how this move works out for the boys in the Winged Wheel.