Detroit Red Wings

No Sibling Rilvarly Between Dower Nilsson Brothers, Only Shared Dream of Being Red Wings

Dower-Nilssons are second brothers to be drafted by Detroit

Published

9 months ago

July 15, 2023

Bob Duff

Noah Dower-Nilsson was the 73rd overall selection of the Red Wings in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

If Liam and Noah Dower Nilsson go on to gain the level of hockey notoreity attained by the previous brother act drafted by the Detroit Red Wings, they’ll leave quite the legacy.

The 1974 NHL amateur draft, as it was known then, saw Detroit selecting Marquette Iron Rangers forward Jack Carlson 117th overall. The following season, the Wings tabbed his brother Steve Carlson 131st overall from the NAHL’s Johnstown Jets.

Steve would go on to play Steve Hanson, one of the notorious Hanson brothers, in the hockey cult classic Slap Shot. Jack was also supposed to portray a Hanson brother in the film, but a recall to the WHA’s Minnesota Fighting Saints left him unavailable to fill the role.

Vem av bröderna Dower Nilsson är roligast, bäst på att dansa, har bäst betyg? Kolla på videon så får ni svaret 😍🇸🇪

(🎥:@DetroitRedWings) #LGRW pic.twitter.com/93kg5SZefz

— NHL Sverige (@NHLsv) July 8, 2023

Certainly, the Dower Nilsson brothers are unlikely to terrorize hockey in similar fashion. Up-tempo skill is their brand.

“I think we have some same (similarities) the way we play the game but I’m a more offensive winger,” Noah said. “Liam is more a two-way center. I learned a lot from him through this year. We always compete against each other.”

That figures to again be the case in 2023-24. The two did get some ice time together in the SHL last season with Frolunda. This season, while Noah will remain with Frolunda, Liam is joining Bjorkloven of the Allsvenskan, the second tier of Swedish hockey.

Liam Seeking To Show Red Wings What He Can Do

“I’m trying to get a bigger role there and play my game and focus on my things to get better and try to come back to be the player I was in junior,” Liam explained as the reason behind the move. “I feel I have a more offensive mindset and game to show that I haven’t really shown these two years and especially this year.

“It’s going to be good for me.”

Detroit ws selecting Liam 134th overall selection in 2021. That year, the entire NHL entry draft was being conducted via Zoom calls. This year in Nashville, the entire Dower Nilsson family was on hand to share the moment with Noah as he was taken with the 73rd overall pick.

“It was unbelievable,” Liam said. “Never really dared to think that’s going to happen. It was an amazing feeling for me and my dad and grandpa, who was there, and for Noah.”

Talking to the two brothers, it’s abundantly evident how the bond between the two of them strengthens their resolve to someday skate together as Red Wings.

“It means a lot,” Noah said. “He’s helped me a lot. He has always helped me my whole life, being a big support for me. I love him so much.”