Nick Polano, the former Detroit Red Wings coach and front-office executive who drafted Steve Yzerman and participated in the covert mission that brought Sergei Fedorov to Detroit, died on Thursday after battling Alzheimer's disease. He was 78.
Polano was the first coaching hire made by Mike Ilitch, the late Red Wings owner who bought the team in 1982. Polano coached for three season, through 1984-85, before transitioning into the front office as assistant general manager.