Red Wings, Mike Babcock add former NHL player Jim Hiller to coaching staff

Mike Babcock and the Detroit Red Wings will have another new face behind the bench in 2014-14, as former NHL forward Jim Hiller has been hired as an assistant coach.

Tony Granato was also added to the coaching staff earlier in July.

The 45-year-old joins the organization after 11 years in the Western Hockey League, where he served as head coach of the Tri-City Americans from 2009-14.

In 2011-12, Hiller was named League's Coach of the Year. He also appeared in 63 games for the Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers, and he believes the mixed bag of experience will serve him well.

"There's always challenges when you're a coach," Hiller said, as per the Detroit Free Press. "I did play in the NHL, so I kind of understand the mentality of what it's like to be an NHL player and the type of feedback those players want and need."

In focusing on the offensive side of things, Hiller appears particularly tickled about the idea of working with Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk:

I've seen them from afar, and I've certainly seen what they do on the ice during games. But from hearing from different people in the organization, their work ethic and their leadership in practice and in the weight room, that's what a lot of people don't know. That's pretty exciting for anybody to be around, not just great people but great players.

The Red Wings also added Jim Brewer to the coaching staff; he will run the team's video department.