It’s been a whirlwind 10 months for Andrew Gibson.

Since the end of last season, the 6-3 ,205-pound defenseman has earned a bronze medal for Team Canada in the IIHF World Under-18 Championship, gotten drafted by his hometown Detroit Red Wings, and had a breakout season in Sault Ste. Marie.

Not a bad year for the 19-year-old defenseman.

The post 2023 Red Wings Prospect: Among Best OHL Defensive D Men (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

While the Red Wings had a Thanksgiving feast on the ice last week, winning all three games, the Grand Rapids Griffins split a pair at home. Still, there were some highlights down on the farm:

Berggren Red-Hot For Griffins

Jonatan Berggren has been on a tear in Grand Rapids since a brief call-up by the Red Wings earlier this month.

The 2018 second-rounder (No. 33 overall) had a goal and an assist in both weekend games against Manitoba, lifting him to 11 points on the season, second on the team. One of those came on the power  play in a 5-1  win on Friday night; Berggren has scored four goals in the Griffins’ last five games.

Light work from Berggren pic.twitter.com/Ee2kaLZ2KZ

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) November 25, 2023

Simon Edvinsson (No. 6 overall in 2021) has a three-game point streak, picking up five assists, He’s third on the Griffins with 10 points this season. He and Albert Johansson are considered the odds-on favorites to join the Red Wing next season, although that is anything but guaranteed.

Austin Czarnik, recently returned to Grand Rapids by the Red Wings, has a four-game p0ints streak, including three goals. The Griffins are in sixth place in the AHL’s  Central Division.

Czarnik's goal was FUEGO pic.twitter.com/8tDLyEJNai

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) November 26, 2023

Nate Danielson (No. 9 overall, 2023) had a hot streak for the Brandon Wheat Kings. He scored in three consecutive games, including two goals at Edmonton, from Nov. 17-22. The Red Wings’ top draft choice last summer has eight goals and 17 points this season.

Trey Augustine, (No. 41 overall, 2023) was one of the Big Ten’s Three Stars of the Week last week, He had 44 saves as Michigan State ended a 14-game losing streak to Minnesota with a 3-3 tie on Friday, then gave up six goals, three on the power play, in a 6-5 overtime loss on Saturday.

Speaking of goalies, Michael Hutchinson played in both games for the Griffins last week.  He’s 3-5-0 for the Griffins, with a goals-against average of 3.22 and a .891 save percentage.

The post Red Wings Prospect Watch: Berggren Has Big Week for Griffins appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

When he was a youngster, Carter Mazur learned the game from a former NHLer. Former Detroit Red Wings center Kris Draper was his coach with the Little Caesars youth hockey program operated by the Ilitch family, owners of the Red Wings.

Saturday, Draper, in his current role as director of amateur scouting for the Wings, welcomed Mazur into the fold. The Wings selected the left-winger from Jackson, Michigan with the 70th pick of the NHL entry draft.

“It’s honestly crazy that it comes full circle in a way,” Mazur said. “It’s just crazy that he was my coach and now he’s the one drafting me, it’s just surreal.

Dreams come true. Read this from ⁦@Carter_Mazur⁩, age 8. Now the Michigan native is the newest ⁦@DetroitRedWings⁩ @NHL Draft pick. (Photo courtesy: Mazur Family.) ⁦@NHLNetwork⁩ ⁦⁩ pic.twitter.com/PDyvtfpamT

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 24, 2021

“I can’t really put it into words but it’s awesome that I’m a part of what he’s trying to build in Detroit.”

Mark Seidel, director of the North American Independent Central Scouting Bureau, views Mazur has a high-character person who projects as a bottom-six forward at the NHL level. Mazur was captain of Tri-City (USHL) last season.

“He went through last year’s draft without being selected,”Seidel said. “I don’t think he ever scores a lot but the Wings must think he can become a bottom-six guy.”

Mazur’s own scouting report would suggest that he’s a 200-foot player. “I’m better when I’m playing physical and heavy on players, as well as when I’m attacking the net and scoring down low,” Mazur said.

Off To Denver

He’ll be heading to Denver University in the fall. The Wings are assembling quite the prospect pipeline in the Colorado Avalanche’s backyard. Mazur will be joining defensemen Antti Tuomisto (35-2019) and Shai Buium (36-2021) on the roster of the Pioneers.

The Wings made their third trade of the draft during the fourth round. This time, though, they moved down the board by virtue of the deal. Detroit sent pick 102 to the Vegas Golden Knights for picks 114 and 155.

With the 114th pick, they tabbed a familiar name in USNTDP U18 center/left wing Red Savage, the son of Brian Savage, a five-time 20-goal scorer during his NHL career.

Name Recognition

“It’s pretty nice to have all the connections that my dad has,” Savage said. “He’s a pretty people-pleasing guy and has a lot of friends around the whole hockey scene. We’re pretty good friends with the Drapers and a lot of people connected to the Red Wings.

We don't know what's better, Red Savage's name, or the Red Wings bucket hat he's rocking during his first presser

h/t @GrindLinePod pic.twitter.com/RNETGPQdE1

— BarDown (@BarDown) July 24, 2021

“I’m really excited to be drafted by this organization, excited to hopeful be able to put on the Red Wings jersey one day.”

Dan Stewart of Draft Prospects Hockey views Savage as a player capable of slotting in anywhere up and down the four forward lines. “He’s intelligent, driven, hard-working, sticking his nose in the action, gritty, excellent skater, quick first step, uses his body and quickness to battle, drives the net and knows what to do once he gets there,” Stewart said. “He has a dangerous shot in tight, hunts the puck and is highly effective on the forecheck. Just a strong two-way competitor.”

At 134rd overall, the Wings selected Liam Dower Nilsson, a center from Sweden’s Vastra Frolunda juniors. “He’s very smart defensively and can shut down the other teams top players,” Seidel said.

Nilsson didn’t debate his scouting report.

“I would say that I’m a competitive center who loves to win and hates to lose,” Nilsson said. “My strong area of the game is in the offensive zone, around the net, being sneaky with passes and also with my shot.

“I’m a leader on the ice and off the ice, too. I love to (make) my teammates better and win games.”

Yzerman Connection

Ten picks afer Nilsson the Wings chose Charlottetown (QMJHL) defenseman Oscar Plandowski. He’s the son of Arizona Coyotes director of amateur scouting Darryl Plandowski. The elder Plandowski worked with Wings GM Steve Yzerman in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization.

Detroit closed out its draft list by tabbing Windsor (OHL) left wing Pasquale Zito. Like many Ontario players, Zito went without playing last season when the OHL was unable to launch its campaign due to COVID-19.

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