A rising coaching prospect has found his way back to the NHL, as Jay Varady has been hired by the Detroit Red Wings as an assistant for the upcoming season. Varady has spent the last few seasons as head coach of the Tucson Roadrunners, with a short stop as an assistant for the Arizona Coyotes during the shortened 2020-21 season.
It’s been an interesting path for the 44-year-old Varady, who made the transition to coaching soon after his playing days ended for Union College in 2000. After winning an NAHL championship after taking over the Pittsburgh Forge midseason, he went to the WHL where he joined the Everett Silvertips for seven seasons. Two years as a head coach in France followed before a return to North America to lead the Sioux City Musketeers, where he really established himself as a top coaching prospect.
One year with the Kingston Frontenacs was enough to lead to an AHL gig, and now the NHL, where he’ll serve under rookie head coach Derek Lalonde. In the next few years, it won’t be surprising when Varady’s name comes up in coaching searches around the league.
In a statement, the Coyotes announced that they will begin the search for a new AHL coach immediately, wishing Varady well with his new appointment in Detroit.