Shawn Horcoff, a former NHL player and current assistant GM of the Detroit Red Wings, has experienced the excitement of the NHL Draft from both professional and personal perspectives. This year, he watched his son Will get selected 24th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
“It’s different being on that side. It’s nerve-racking,” Shawn remarked about witnessing his son’s selection. He emphasized the culmination of years of hard work and expressed excitement for Will joining Pittsburgh, recognizing it as a good fit for him.
Will Horcoff acknowledged his father’s influence on his development both on and off the ice. “He’s helped shape the hockey player I am, and not only that, but the man I am off the ice as well,” Will said.
Shawn’s own career began when he was drafted by Edmonton in 1998. He played over 1,000 games in the NHL before transitioning to management roles with Detroit. His experiences have been invaluable to Will, who grew up around professional hockey environments.
As a child, Will often accompanied Shawn to games and practices, absorbing lessons from players’ work ethics. “Sometimes he’d be the only one there,” Will recalled about his father’s dedication.
Shawn instilled values learned from his upbringing in British Columbia into Will, emphasizing hard work and diverse athletic experiences beyond just hockey.
The importance of education was also stressed by Shawn and Cindy Horcoff to their children. Despite frequent relocations due to Shawn’s career moves—from Dallas to Anaheim to Detroit—Will maintained strong academic performance.
Now enrolled at Michigan after two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program, Will balances academics with athletics. His choice of university had full family support despite Shawn’s allegiance to Michigan State.
Penguins Vice President Wes Clark noted Will’s maturity during meetings at the NHL Combine: “Super athletic at 6-5…the mentorship and guidance that obviously he’s got from his old man is a big benefit.”
Will aims to make each day count in pursuit of reaching his potential—a lesson imparted by Shawn throughout their journey together.
