Petrolia’s Leighton joins Red Wings
Former Petrolia Jet coach of the year in US league
April 10, 2023
Garrett Rutledge has been chosen as coach of the year in the Federal Prospects Hockey League.
The 42-year-old former member of the Petrolia Jets in the early 2000’s is the head coach of the Carolina Thunderbirds. His team leads its division heading into the final week of the regular season with a record of 39-12-3.
Rutledge is in his second season behind the bench in Carolina.
He has previous coaching and scouting experience in the GOJHL, OJHL and with both Saginaw and Flint of the OHL.
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Petrolia’s Leighton joins Red Wings
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Barry Wright/The Independent Michael Leighton is heading across the Detroit River to continue his coaching career. After three seasons as goaltending coach with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, the Petrolia native has been hired as the new goaltending coach with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. Originally a sixth round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1999, he played more than 700
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