Former Detroit Red Wings forward and assistant general manager Pat Verbeek has been nominated for the NHL's Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award, recognizing the league's top front office talent. Now leading the Anaheim Ducks as their general manager, Verbeek joins an elite group of finalists for the 2025-26 season, announced Tuesday.
Verbeek's hockey journey is deeply rooted in Detroit. He suited up for the Red Wings for 135 games between 1999 and 2001, then transitioned into management, serving as assistant GM under Steve Yzerman from 2019 to 2022. Before that, he honed his scouting skills with the Red Wings from 2006 to 2010 and later worked alongside Yzerman in Tampa Bay, helping build championship-caliber rosters as assistant GM and Director of Player Personnel.
Since taking the reins in Anaheim in February 2022, Verbeek has masterfully assembled a dynamic mix of young stars and seasoned veterans, positioning the Ducks as a rising force in the NHL. His ability to identify and develop talent has clearly caught the league's attention.
Joining Verbeek as finalists are Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin, who pulled off a bold mid-December trade for defenseman Quinn Hughes, and Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland. Guerin also earned accolades for guiding Team USA to its first Olympic gold medal since the 1980 Miracle on Ice at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
For Red Wings fans, Verbeek's nomination is a proud reminder of the front office pedigree that continues to shape the league. Whether you're tracking his latest moves or gearing up for the next season, this is a name worth watching—and a reminder that great hockey minds often start in Hockeytown.