DETROIT RED WINGS WELCOME BACK BELOVED FORMER PLAYER DARREN HELM AS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT COACH….read more…..
The Detroit Red Wings are turning to a familiar face as they continue their rebuild and push toward becoming playoff contenders once again. On Thursday, the organization announced that former fan favorite Darren Helm is returning to the franchise—this time off the ice—as the team’s new Player Development Coach.
Helm, 37, spent the bulk of his 14-season NHL career in Detroit, where he became known for his blistering speed, relentless work ethic, and key contributions during the Red Wings’ successful late-2000s playoff runs. A member of the 2008 Stanley Cup-winning team, Helm played 744 regular-season games with the Red Wings from 2007 to 2021 before finishing his career with the Colorado Avalanche, where he won a second Stanley Cup in 2022.
Now, Helm steps into a mentorship role aimed at guiding the next generation of Red Wings talent. In his new position, Helm will work closely with the organization’s prospects and young players, both at the NHL and minor league levels, to help refine their skills and transition into professional hockey.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to be back in Detroit,” Helm said in a statement released by the team. “This organization means a great deal to me, and I look forward to working with our young players to help them develop and succeed, both on and off the ice.”
Helm’s return has been met with enthusiasm not just by the team but by fans who fondly remember his grit and consistency throughout his Red Wings career. Drafted in the fifth round (132nd overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Helm quickly earned a spot on the roster with his explosive speed and strong defensive play, carving out a niche as a reliable bottom-six forward and penalty killer.
“Darren understands what it means to wear the Winged Wheel,” said Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman. “His experience, character, and leadership will be a tremendous asset for our players as they continue to develop and grow. We’re thrilled to have him back in the organization.”
Helm’s knowledge of the game, particularly in high-pressure situations, is expected to be invaluable for young prospects aiming to break into the NHL. Throughout his career, Helm was often praised for his playoff performances. He notched several clutch goals during the team’s deep postseason runs, including a memorable series-clinching goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2009 Western Conference Finals.
Although Helm was never known for flashy statistics, his presence on the ice often shifted the momentum of games. His return symbolizes the values the Red Wings are looking to instill in their young core: discipline, effort, and team-first mentality.
Helm retired from playing professionally after the 2022–23 season, capping off a 16-year NHL career with 823 total games, 119 goals, and 139 assists. His return to the Red Wings comes as the team continues to develop a promising pool of young talent, including players like Simon Edvinsson, Marco Kasper, and Nate Danielson.
The hiring also reflects a growing trend among NHL teams to bring back former players in coaching and developmental roles. The idea is to foster a strong internal culture and pass on institutional knowledge that can be hard to find elsewhere. For the Red Wings, Helm represents not only a connection to the team’s winning past but also a bridge to its hopeful future.
Fans on social media reacted positively to the news, with many expressing excitement at the reunion. “Helmer was always a grinder and gave 110% every shift. He’s exactly the kind of guy I’d want mentoring our prospects,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Helm will join a growing coaching and development staff under Yzerman’s leadership, which has emphasized player development as a cornerstone of the franchise’s rebuild. As the Red Wings aim to return to playoff form after missing the postseason for the past several years, having experienced, battle-tested voices like Helm’s will be crucial.
Training camp this fall will provide Helm with his first opportunity to work hands-on with Detroit’s prospects, and all eyes will be on how his presence impacts the growth of the team’s young stars.
For Helm, the move is not just about hockey—it’s a homecoming.
“This city and this team have given me so much,” he said. “It feels right to come back and give something back in return.”
As the Red Wings look to rise again in the NHL standings, having a player who lived and breathed the grind of Detroit hockey during its championship years can only serve to inspire the next wave of talent ready to don the red and white.
