If you are looking to solve the case of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ five-game winning streak, the evidence shows that the fingerprints of Detroit Red Wings prospects are all over it.

The Contributors

• Jonatan Berggren (drafted 33rd in 2018) registered a goal and an assist Saturday night to help the Griffins down the Iowa Wild 4-1 for their fifth consecutive win.  The Swedish forward has two goals, three multiple games and seven points during the streak.
• Carter Mazur (drafted 70th in 2021) also tallied his sixth goal in the past eight games in that win against Iowa. Mazur totals four goals, five points and 18 shots on goal in the five victories.
• Marco Kasper (drafted eighth overall in 2022) assisted on Joel L’Esperance’s goal to give him six points in the five games. After a slow start, he now has 14 points in 31 games.
• Amadeus Lombardi (drafted 113th in 2022) assisted on Berggren’s goal. He has three assists in the streak. Lombardi now has 12 points.

Tuomisto Rising

• After an injury undermined the start of his first season in North American pro hockey, defenseman Antti Tuomisto  (drafted 35th overall) has established himself as a significant contributor on Grand Rapids’ defense. The 6-foot-5 Finland native has two goals and three points in the five games. If count the time he spent with the Toledo Walleye as part of his rehabilitation stint, Tuomisto has launched his North American pro career with seven goals and 10 points in his first 17 games.
• Defenseman Albert Johansson (drafted 60th overall in 2019) picked up an assist to give him two goals and three points in the streak. He’s also +6. Johansson may not be a top pairing defenseman at the NHL level, but he’s going to play and be a dependable player. He’s +13 this season for the Griffins.
• Prize prospect Simon Edvinsson (drafted sixth overall in 2021) is +4 during the streak and boasts three points.
•  Goalie Sebastian Cossa (drafted 15th overall in 2021) is 2-0 during the Grand Rapids run. One of his wins was an impressive 29-save effort to best Jesper Wallstedt who was rated ahead of him in the 2021 draft year.

pic.twitter.com/sv3K1b7ZYY

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) January 7, 2024

Last summer, Detroit GM Steve Yzerman made it point to say he wanted to make Grand Rapids a more competitive team. The Red Wings will continue to have top prospects playing for the Griffins. He wants to make sure their AHL experience includes playoff action.

With their recent run, the Griffins are 14-3-3-1, good enough for third place in the AHL’s Central Division.  One of Yzerman’s goals was to solidify the Griffins’ goaltending. The signing of veteran Michael Hutchinson, 33, has helped in that regard. He has given up only five goals in three wins during the streak.

The post Red Wings’ Prospects Carrying Their Weight in Griffins Win Streak appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

GRAND RAPIDS — Sometimes, getting noticed isn’t necessarily a good thing.

But defenseman Albert Johansson is making an impression for good reasons.

“Right now he’s getting noticed because of the way he’s moving the pucks away he’s defending,” Grand Rapids. coach Dan Watson says. “Now it’s just becoming that consistent player game in and game out and he’s done a really good job. (He’s) another guy who’s prepared, another guy who’s a pro and does things the right way. And I like where his game’s at.”

The post Johansson Making Good Impression in Grand Rapids (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Grand Rapids Griffins are doing what their parent team hasn’t been able to do since early December. The Griffins are climbing in the standings.

Some of Detroit’s top prospects delivered in the Griffins’ 5-1 win against the Cleveland Monsters on New Year’s Eve.  Defenseman Albert Johansson (drafted 60th in 2019) scored a pair of goals and Carter Mazur (drafted 70th in 2021) scored for the fourth consecutive game to help Grand Rapids win its third consecutive win. That allowed the Griffins to move into a tie for third place in the American Hockey League’s Central Division.

“Getting momentum back for us after the Christmas break is huge for  us,” Mazur said. “It shows we are headed in the right direction, especially as a young team, to get those wins under our belt early, to keep it going.

Jonatan Berggren (drafted 33rd in 2018) also had a pair of assists and Simon Edvinsson (Drafted sixth in 2021) had one. Mazur boasts five goals and six points in his past six games.

NEW YEAR'S EVE W!!
Griffins – 5 Monsters – 1#GoGRG pic.twitter.com/jPEmlYS4YS

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) January 1, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Red Wings were better defensively, but not good enough in loss to the Boston Bruins.
• You have to see the video of Tomas Jurco being manhandled by his coach on the bench at the Spengler Cup.
• Are Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat better off with J.T. Compher as their center?
• Jake Walman is now among the NHL leaders in goals by a defenseman. Red Wings D Men are contributing significantly to the offense.

Red Wings Next Game

Detroit begins a three-game western road trip with a game Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks have lost eight games in a row, and hold the league’s worst record of 9-25-3. But the Sharks erased a four-goal deficit and downed Detroit 6-5 in overtime in their last meeting on Dec. 7. They will be facing former Red Wings player Filip Zadina. He has four goals and 10 points in 32 games for the Sharks. He is -7 in his past three games. After facing San Jose, the Red Wings play the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday and the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: BHN’s Mick Colageo’s take: Boston Bruins are at a crossroads with forward Jake DeBrusk.

Chicago: Nate Brown writes that draft pick Frank Nazar is playing well enough at the University of Michigan to believe he will be playing for the Chicago Blackhawks next fall.

Philadelphia: Former Flyers player Dave Poulin, who succeeded Bobby Clarke as captain, was named Senior Vice President of Hockey operations for the Ottawa Senators. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh: Ex-Red Wings goalie Alex Nedeljkovic takes down the Islanders to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 7-1-1 record for their last nine games.  The Penguins are now one of three teams between Detroit and the last wild card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

San Jose: The San Jose Sharks lost their eighth game in a row and defenseman Mario Ferraro was injured.

The post The Daily: Mazur, Johansson Key Griffins Win; Red Wings Go West appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Under the tutelage of GM Steve Yzerman, the Detroit Red Wings have made 12 selections in the NHL entry draft. That’s good news from a rebuilding standpoint. On the other hand, there’s also worrisome news. There isn’t one among those 12 players who’ve suited up for an NHL game.

Granted, three of those players – goaltender Trey Augustine and defensemen Andrew Gibson and Brady Cleveland – were only recently selected in the 2023 draft. It’s far too early to write any of them out of the future.

And, it’s also worth noting that for the most part, Yzerman and his scouting staff are opting to be selecting players who are heading to play U.S. college hockey, or who are playing in Europe. They are certainly specializing in players that they can afford time and patience to while they are developing.

That being said, the team has now gone through five drafts under Yzerman. And really, beyond first rounders like defenseman Moritz Seider (2019) and winger Lucas Raymond (2020), the Red Wings haven’t come up with another NHL regular from that draft pool.

Red Wings 2019 Draft Class Under Scrutiny

Alarm bells certainly went off earlier this week when winger Robert Mastrosimone was signing an AHL deal with the Toronto Marlies. He was part of Yzerman’s first draft class, chosen 54th overall in 2019 and wasn’t considered even worthy of a contract offer.

“At some point we hope to have a really good nucleus, but the reality is that somewhere along the way they don’t all play,” Yzerman said of NHL draftees. “Maybe you don’t have room for them all. One player hasn’t developed the way you hoped, so you take another at that position, or trade and acquire to fill that void.”

That being the case, it’s also abundantly true that in a salary cap world, the fastest way to climb up the standings is by drafting effectively.

“If you don’t have a good team, you better have a lot of draft picks, because how are you gonna get better?” Yzerman asked.

Playing in an exhibition game with Färjestad+NHLers fostered there Albert Johansson scores on a penalty shot. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/poy89Agbtu

— Lars Thorsell (@LarsThorsell) August 2, 2023

Of Detroit’s other two second rounders, defenseman Albert Johansson (60th) spent last season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. Word within the organization was were it not for a late-season injury, Johansson likely would’ve been getting an NHL look.

The first second rounder ever chosen by the Yzerman regime, Finnish defenseman Antti Tuomisto (32nd) will be making his North American pro debut with the Griffins this fall. Considering that forward Elmer Soderblom (159th overall) was also seeing duty in 21 NHL games for Detroit last season, there’s still a chance that the club could be producing three NHLers from the 2019 crop, which in hockey circles is considered a good draft.

Red Wings 2nd Round Picks Under Steve Yzerman

It’s going to be a big year for Detroit draftees in terms of turning corners. Defenseman William Wallinder (32nd, 2020) is also going to be debuting in Grand Rapids. Left-winger Cross Hanas (55-2020) is beginning his second campaign with the Griffins. He’ll be looking to rebound from season-ending shoulder surgery.

Right-winger Theodor Neiderbach (51-2020) needs a breakthrough year with MoDo of the SHL. Otherwise it’s unlikely he’ll be earning a Detroit contract. Scouts are offering mixed reviews of Denver defenseman Shai Buium (36-2021).

First goal in KHL for 19-year-old Dmitry Buchelnikov! pic.twitter.com/REPZdikyra

— KHL (@khl_eng) September 28, 2022

It’ll be another two years at least before left-winger Dmitri Buchelnikov’s Russian commitments are complete. He remains an international man of mystery. Left-winger Dylan James enters his sophomore year at North Dakota after finishing strongly in 2022-23.

Still Too Early To Write Off Detroit’s Second Rounders

It will take another year or two before anyone will be penning an epitaph regarding Yzerman’s first two draft classes. That doesn’t mean there isn’t justifiable cause for concern.

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When Yzerman was building a Stanley Cup contender in Tampa Bay, he and his staff unearthed several gems in the later rounds of the draft. Nikita Kucherov (58th) and Ondrej Palat (208th) were selections in 2011. Brayden Point (79-2014) was another steal.

If the Red Wings want to get better, they’d better start finding some players of this ilk.

The post On Draft Day, Red Wings Aren’t Second Best appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Detroit Red Wings prospect defenseman Albert Johansson says he needs to be patient waiting for his NHL opportunity. But if you are fluent in reading between the lines, you can translate that as champing at the bit.

“There’s some new players that have come in, and several who had good seasons last year, but I think I had a good season too,” Johansson told the Swedish media outlet, nwt.se. “When I’ve talked to the coaches it hasn’t sounded like (I’ve) been that far off, an NHL-debut.”

IcehockeyGifs translated some of Johansson’s quotes. It sounds as if Johansson has an insightful understanding of his place among Detroit prospects.  The Red Wings liked how he playing last season in Grand Rapids and probably would have given him an NHL shot had he not been injured.

Some excerpts from an article on Albert Johansson.

"Johansson ready for the toughest year of his career – that's how the dream comes true."https://t.co/ub0PgQbSUO

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) August 21, 2023

Where Johansson ranks

The Red Wings defense is improved this season, and Ontario sports betting is giving them much-improved odds to make the playoffs.

In terms of skill and potential impact, Simon Edvinsson and Axel Sandin Pellikka are Detroit’s top two  prospect defensemen. But Johansson is way ahead of the Sandin Pellikka in terms of NHL readiness. He is four years older than Sandin Pellikka and Johannson has used the last four seasons becoming an effective all-around player. Johansson is not on any Top 50 lists, but the Red Wings believe he will be a consistent performer.

Based on how Johansson played last season, the Red Wings would probably feel confident bringing him up if their defense is beset by injuries. The Red Wings currently have 15 defensemen between Detroit and Grand Rapids.

The new players Johansson was talking about include Antti Tuomisto and William Wallinder. They are both getting their first taste of the American Hockey League. Tuomisto was drafted ahead of Johansson in the second round of the 2019 draft, but Johannson is ahead of now because he has one season in the AHL. Tuomisto played in Finland last season, while Wallinder was in the Swedish Hockey League.

“I’m definitely going there to realize my childhood dream,” Johansson said in the Swedish story. “A new season, the second season who they say is one of the toughest, it’s going to be important to handle that in a good way and stay patient.”

The post Red Wings Prospect Johansson Eager For NHL Shot appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Any Detroit Red Wings fan who wants to see what the team will look like when the rebuild is completed only needs to make the 157-mile drive to watch the Grand Rapids Griffins play this season.

Depending on who makes the Red Wings roster this season, it’s possible, on some nights, 55 percent (11 players) of the Griffins’ lineup could be Steve Yzerman draft picks.  That doesn’t include Yzerman undrafted prospect free agent signings, such as Wyatt Newpower, Alexandre Doucet and John Lethemon. It also doesn’t include prospect Jared McIsaac, 23, who was a Ken Holland draftee.

Since taking over as GM in 2019, Yzerman has participated in five drafts and selected seven first round picks. Two of the first round picks (Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond) are in Detroit, and three (Sebastian Cossa, Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper) could start in Grand Rapids. The 2023 first rounders (Nate Danielson and Axel Sandin Pellikka) will return to their teams from last season.

Dan Watson, the highly successful Toledo Walleye coach from last season, is the Griffins’ new coach this season. This is the Yzerman draft picks he might have this season:

First-Rounders

They start with goalie Sebastian Cossa, considered by many to be the Red Wings’ goalie of the near future. The team’s top draft pick in 2021 had a strong season Toledo.

Defenseman Simon Edvinsson (No. 5 in 2021) is recovering from surgery and it’s hard to say with certainty whether he will be ready for the start of the season. He could start in Detroit or Grand Rapids.

Forward Marco Kasper, taken in the first round in 2022, played in one game for the Red Wings last year. In theory, he could win a Detroit roster spot in training camp.

Second-Rounders

Defenseman Antti Tuomisto is a 2019 pick who played in Finland after two years at the University of Denver.  Defenseman Albert Johansson, the third of the three second-round picks that year, spent last season in Grand Rapids.

Another defenseman, William Wallinder, a 2020 second-rounder  who played in a single game at Grand Rapids last year, spent most of last winter playing in Sweden.

Forward Cross Hanas, the third of three second-round picks in 2020, returns to Grand Rapids after scoring nine goals in 30 games last season.

Third-Rounders

Defenseman Eemil Viro spent most of his first pro season with Grand Rapids last winter.  He was taken in the third round in 2020. Forward Carter Mazur, a third-round pick in 2021, played in six games with the Griffins last year after leaving the University of Denver, scoring three goals.

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Other notables

Amadeus Lombardi, a fourth-round pick in 2022, is highly touted in his first full pro season after scoring 45 goals for the Flint Firebirds of the OHL last season.

Elmer Soderblom, a sixth-round pick in 2019, played in 21 games for Detroit and 20 for Grand Rapids, recording the same scoring line (5-3—8) at both levels. There’s certainly a chance he will start the season in Detroit.

The post The Griffins Will Mostly Be Yzerman Players in 2023-24 appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

(Editor’s Note: This is the seventh installment in Detroit Hockey Now’s Tomorrow’s series about Detroit Red Wings’ prospects)

When defenseman Simon Edvinsson was brought up to the Detroit Red Wings this season, sources told Detroit Hockey Now that it could have just as easily been Albert Johansson if he wasn’t injured.

That’s how well Johansson played this season for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

“Albert actually had a great season,” Detroit assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff said. “Albert last year made some adjustments to his offseason training. He’s always been a great skater, a smart player, a good passer of the puck, but I think his frame was underdeveloped. He made some changes back in Sweden to who he was training with and I think they paid huge dividends.”

Zadina gets his first goal back with the Griffins after a pretty play. Albert Johansson picks up another assist. #LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/aX8gLTlG8M

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) February 5, 2023

Two-way Defenseman

Johansson, 22, played a strong two-way game for the Griffins, posting five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in 53 games before being injured.

“He was stronger this year and not just stronger,” Horcoff said. “He was able to sustain the wear and tear of professional hockey quite well.”

But a higher level of conditioning doesn’t protect you from all injuries. The Griffins don’t disclose injuries, but the length of his stay on the injured list made it clear it involved a broken bone.

“Obviously broken bones are what they are and you really can’t control that,” Horcoff said. “It’s too bad, because at that time he was probably in a position to be called up and play some NHL games.”

Dependability. Poise. Smart. Hard-working. Those are traits associated with Johansson. That has earned him a place on Detroit’s top five or six prospects.

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Analysis:  Horcoff said his message to all prospects is to take some time off at the start of the offseason and then get back in the gym and hit it hard. That’s what the Red Wings want Johansson to do. He clearly knows what offseason preparation did for him last summer. The Red Wings are bullish on Johansson’s long-term potential. He rates above average to very good in many different categories. He consistently makes the right play.

Forecast: Johansson (drafted  60th in 2019) should end up on Detroit’s roster next season. Depending on who Yzerman adds this summer and injuries, he might even have a shot to make the team out of training camp.

The post Tomorrow’s Red Wings: Johansson Stock Rising Sharply appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Hockey is inching its way back into the fans consciousness and the first step is the Detroit Red Wings prospect tournament that begins this Thursday in Traverse City, Mich. While much of it will give clues for what awaits in training camp and eventually the preseason, questions still abound.

Here are five questions, and some random thoughts, as the prospect tournament looms.

Will Sebastian Cossa Stand Out in the Tournament?

Outside of Detroit, the 15th overall pick of the 2021 draft has been impressive. But how will he fare when the eyes of the front office are watching intently? Goalies can take more time to develop and it’s important for Red Wings fans to remember that as Detroit climbs out of the rebuild. There are cautionary tales in Tim Chevelade and in some respects, Chris Osgood. The former was just hounded by fans and expectations until he left town while the latter had to overcome his own pressures. Osgood’s resulted in two Stanley Cups.

It’s too early for any kind of comparisons for Cossa. But it sure feels like this is the first real test for the youngster. The prospect tournament is just the warmup, but Cossa has an opportunity to build momentum into the preseason slate.

Can Amadeus Lombardi Continue Turning Heads?

The rookie camp following the 2022 NHL Draft gave Red Wings executives and fans a chance to see just what Detroit had in the pipeline. Lombardi was one prospect who certainly popped out out of camp.

Draper, on drafting Amadeus Lombardi: "I actually almost went off script and did the 'Rock Me Amadeus' when I was gonna introduce him." lmao pic.twitter.com/BEV33kyZp6

— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) July 8, 2022

Aside from having a ready-made goal song, Lombardi was crisp during the rookie camp. Though it’s more realistic that he’ll spend another season honing his skills, he’s an intriguing watch as a number of rookie forwards jostle for position.

Will Simon Edvinsson Be Dominant?

Injury cut his World Juniors appearance short, but if there’s any player who seems a shoe-in to make Detroit’s opening roster, it’s Edvinsson. He’s a presence on the blue line and could be the second rookie defenseman in two years to patrol the backside of the lineup along with Moritz Seider.

First things first, will Edvinsson look like a man among boys? If he’s fully healthy, it certainly feels like that will be the case.

Could Other Defensemen Start to Stake Their Claim?

Absolutely. Flying under the radar are Donovan Sebrango, Eemil Viro, and Albert Johansson. The Red Wings roster is jammed with players, but it shouldn’t deter the the aforementioned defensemen above. Viro and Sebrango were both solid in the World Juniors while Johansson has quietly gotten better with every season he’s played.

Does it mean they’ll have spots later on? It’s likelier they are all in Grand Rapids to start. But of the three, Johansson certainly might have the leg up in the competition. A strong rookie tournament for him could only increase his chances when training camp kicks off.

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What about Elmer Soderblom?

Rookie camp is just the first step in what could be a giant leap for the towering forward. His 21-goal, 33 point performance in 52 games with Frolunda seems the appetizer for what could be a very telling season. Be it with Grand Rapids or Detroit, Soderblom’s appearance on North American ice has been eagerly anticipated. A dominant rookie tournament will only amplify the attention on Soderblom.

The post Five Questions heading into the Red Wings Prospect Tournament appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

There’s one thing everyone learned quickly about Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider. When it comes to challenges, his approach is bring it on.

As he clutched the Calder Trophy, the first Red Wings player to win the award since goalie Roger Crozier in 1964-65, Seider was already laser-focused on what lay ahead for him and his teammates.

MORITZ SEIDER IS THE NHL’S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/9d9oeYTeBv

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) June 21, 2022

“I’m pumped,” Seider said. “I think everyone in our locker room is pumped and ready to go. Everyone is preparing themselves to be better next season, to prove more people wrong and to fight for a playoff spot.

“I think it’s time for us to give something back, not only for ourselves but also for this city, the fans. We want playoffs at LCA.”

Seider, Raymond Part Of Red Wings Foundation

Obviously a team in transition, it was easy to argue that on many nights last season, Seider and fellow rookie forward Lucas Raymond were Detroit’s best players.

“It was great to have him on your side, especially having someone who is going through the same phases as you are,” Seider said. “It’s huge, because you have someone to talk to.

Presenting the 2021-22 All-Rookie Team, as selected by @ThePHWA, which is comprised of all three Calder Trophy finalists and led in voting by the winner, Moritz Seider.#NHLStats: https://t.co/3gVilL570F pic.twitter.com/Zlp27dyoq5

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 22, 2022

“We got pretty close right from the start. I was just really thankful for having him by my side.”

They are the foundation for the future but more building blocks are on the way. Forward Jonatan Berggren is going to challenge for a spot after enjoying a spectacular campaign the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. Defensemen Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson, forwards Elmer Soderblom and Pontus Andreasson and goalie Jussi Okinuora are arriving from Europe.

“I think everyone is looking forward to all of the guys,” Seider said. “Our future is so bright. I think the fans are as excited as I am to see all the guys.

“I’m pumped to see whoever’s coming over.”

Seider Ready To Be A Leader

Seider is ready to roll out the red carpet for each of them. He’s also embracing the idea of being a mentor and a leader for the new kids on the block.

“You want to be there and also help out guys for their first seasons and their rookie year,” Seider said. “Hopefully, I can even help them a little bit to adjust to North American ice, or just the North American lifestyle a little bit.

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“I want to step up and be a leader on the ice and if you have to, also off the ice. I think first and foremost, it’s just to lead by example and then I think the other will follow.”

The post Calder Winner Seider Embracing Mentor’s Role With Red Wings appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

When Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe netted his first NHL goal, it was the launching point for an unparalleled Hall of Fame career.

It also set a tone for what is commonplace certainly in hockey and definitely with the Red Wings. All three players who figured in that goal would father sons who would also play for the Red Wings.

#Tbt When NHL goalies raced stock cars in the summertime. Andy Brown, Detroit Red Wings. pic.twitter.com/thbeFq3G0r

— John Bisci (@JohnBisciJr) December 12, 2020

Howe’s son Mark followed him to Detroit and into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Sid Abel, who won the faceoff that led to the goal, later coached his son Gerry on the Red Wings. Adam Brown, who drew the other assist on the goal, saw his son Andy play goal for the Red Wings in the 1970s.

The Sons Also Rise For Red Wings

On Father’s Day, it seems worthwhile to note that hockey, more than any other sport, is populated by father-son relationships. Consider the 1950-51 Red Wings. Five players on that team – Howe, Abel, Lee Fogolin, Max McNab and Jimmy Peters – would father NHL players. Two others – Leo Reise and Ted Lindsay – were the sons of NHL players.

Lindsay’s father Bert was the goalie for the 1917-18 Montreal Wanderers during the NHL’s first season. When Lindsay suited up with Detroit for his NHL debut on Oct. 29, 1944, he became the first son of an original NHLer to skate in the league.

Red Wings Father Son Combinations

It’s a tradition that is continuing. During the 2021-22 NHL season, there were three Red Wings players who were sons of former NHLers – forwards Sam Gagner (Dave), Vladislav Namestnikov (Evgeny) and Chase Pearson (Scott).

“Honestly, I wouldn’t be here today without him,” Chase Pearson said of his dad, who was a first-round draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1988. Scott Pearson played 292 NHL games between 1988-2000.

“He spent countless hours with me on the ice before school. Four days a week when I was younger and then after school I practiced. All that extra time, he didn’t have to come do that, but having him out there, he kind of knows what it takes to get to the next level.

“He’s been through it all and he just guides me through all of that and gives me advice on what to do in training camp, how to stand out, how to make a good first impression. Growing up with a dad like that really helped me get to where I’m at right now.”

Gagner Goes Past Dad

Last season, Sam Gagner surpassed his dad Dave’s career total of 946 NHL games. Over the span of his own NHL career, Gagner, 32, has been witness to change in the relationship he’s forging with his father.

“I think we talk a little differently to each other now,” Sam Gagner said. “I’ve got three kids of my own now so you kind of have a different perspective. I understand that probably at times when you’re leaning on your parents it’s a lot to handle for parents, too. And I see that as a father myself now.

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“He’s been so supportive. As you go through a career, you go through a lot of ups and downs. It’s really important to have that support system. I’m thankful for that.”

Could Drapers Be Next Red Wings Father-Son Duo?

Chase Pearson is among four players currently in the Red Wings prospects pool who are seeking to follow their fathers in fashioning NHL careers. Defenseman Albert Johansson’s dad Roger was also a rearguard with the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks from 1989-95.

Forward Red Savage is the son of Brian Savage. His dad played 674 NHL games and a was a five-time 20-goal scorer. Son is already emulating father by playing college hockey at Miami.

“My dad told me to be prepared for anything,” Red Savage said. “You kind of have to block out some of the distractions when you can and soak it in when you’re riding the highs.”

Watch out! Kienan Draper sends the water bottle flying after a great deke in the slot @Chiefs_Hockey | @saveonfoods pic.twitter.com/9QpG7WcJ9I

— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) February 10, 2022

Perhaps the most intriguing father-son combo, though, is Kienan and Kris Draper. At the 2020 NHL entry draft, the Red Wings utilized their final selection, 187th overall, to tab Kienan Draper. His dad was a 20-season Red Wings center and a four-time Stanley Cup winner. He’s also currently Detroit’s director of amateur scouting.

Ultimately, Kris made the call to draft Kienan.

“He didn’t get my approval,” Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman said of Draper selecting his son. “He didn’t ask for my approval.

“Kris and I had a brief conversation about it. Initially I said, ‘Are you sure you want to put your son in that position?’ Then ultimately my answer to him was your obligation is to do what you think is the right thing for the Detroit Red Wings and I trust your judgment. And I know that he did that.

“These scouts really take pride in some of these kids turning pro (from) later in the draft. None of them are gonna pick a name just because it’s somebody’s son or somebody’s friend. Their jobs are on the line.”

The post Like Father, Like Son? In Red Wings Past . . . And Future, That’s Often The Case appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.