Shawn Horcoff

Former Oilers captain and current Red Wings assistant GM.

Shawn Paul Horcoff (born September 17, 1978) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1998 NHL entry draft, 99th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers, with whom he played 12 seasons and served as team captain for three seasons. In his later career as a player, he also had brief tenures with the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks. Horcoff pursued a career in management following his retirement as a player. He currently serves as the assistant general manager for the Detroit Red Wings and as the general manager of their American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Quick Facts

Played for

Edmonton Oilers
Mora IK
Dallas Stars
Anaheim Ducks

League

NHL

Position

Centre

Shoots

Left

Born

17 September 1978

Birthplace

Trail, British Columbia, Canada

Draft

99th overall

Drafted by

Edmonton Oilers

Lore & Background

Horcoff played his first college season with Michigan State University in 1996. He was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 1998. After leaving university, he failed to make the 2000–01 Oilers out of training camp and was assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs. He was recalled on December 4, 2000, and scored his first NHL goal on December 13 against the Dallas Stars.

In 2005–06, he tied Wayne Gretzky's team record for most points in a period when he assisted on four third period goals against the Detroit Red Wings on November 18, 2005. He scored his first career NHL hat-trick on January 10, 2006, in a 3–1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was part of the Oilers team that reached the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, losing in Game 7 to the Carolina Hurricanes. On October 6, 2010, he was named the 13th captain in Oilers history.

On July 4, 2013, he was traded to the Dallas Stars. On July 1, 2015, he signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks. On January 26, 2016, he was suspended 20 games for violating the league's performance-enhancing substance program. After retiring, he was named director of player development for the Detroit Red Wings in 2016, and in 2022 became assistant general manager for the Red Wings and general manager of the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Reader's Guide

Horcoff studied finance and mathematics at Michigan State, receiving his degree before turning professional. He was named to the CCHA All-Academic Team twice and won CCHA Player of the Year in his final season. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He represented Canada at the World Championships, winning gold in 2003 and 2004 and silver in 2009. He is friends with former MLB outfielder Jason Bay. He is married to Cindy, and they have three children. His son Will is a college ice hockey player at Michigan and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2025.