Detroit City Wire

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have announced the hiring of Michael Leighton as their new goaltending coach. Steve Yzerman, the team's Executive Vice President and General Manager, confirmed the appointment.

Leighton, aged 44, previously served as the goaltending coach for the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires from 2021 to 2024. During his time with the Spitfires, he contributed to the team's success in winning consecutive Western Conference regular-season titles in 2021-22 and 2022-23. The team also reached the OHL Championship Series in 2022 but was defeated by the Hamilton Bulldogs after seven games.

Before transitioning into coaching, Leighton had an extensive playing career spanning 18 seasons from 2001 to 2019. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Over his NHL career, he played for teams including the Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, and Carolina Hurricanes. Notably, Leighton made history with a shutout during his NHL debut on January 8, 2003.

Leighton's playoff performance includes helping the Flyers reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2010 and tying an NHL record for most shutouts in a single playoff series during that year's Eastern Conference Final against Montréal.

In addition to his NHL experience, Leighton played parts of 15 seasons in the American Hockey League (AHL). His achievements include being inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame in 2025 and holding records such as most shutouts by a goaltender in AHL history with a total of 50. He also set an AHL record for most saves in a single game during a five-overtime match on April 24, 2008.

Leighton's accolades extend to five appearances at AHL All-Star Classics and receiving several awards throughout his career. In international play, he spent a season with Donbass Donetsk in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League during which he posted notable statistics.

Michael Leighton hails from Petrolia, Ontario. Before turning professional, he played three seasons with Windsor Spitfires and appeared for Petrolia Jets earlier in his career.