The Little Ball of Hate goes west.
The Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman announced Thursday that one of his assistant's, Pat Verbeek, will now also assume the duties of GM of the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Verbeek, 57, has worked on Yzerman's staff since 2010, first with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the last two seasons in Detroit. Verbeek played for the Wings from 1999-2001, near the end of his 20-year playing career in the NHL.
He will remain an assistant GM with the Wings, but will now add the day-to-day operations of the Wings' AHL affiliate to his responsibilities.