Sebastian Cossa isn’t the only Detroit Red Wings goaltending prospect turning heads in the minor pro ranks. Save some props for Jan Bednar.

The 21-year-old rookie pro with the Toledo Walleye is the ECHL goaltender of the month for March. Bednar went 6-1-0 in eight appearances during the month. He would post two shutouts, along with a 1.59 goals-against average and a save percentage of .939.

ANOTHA ONE Jan Bednar of the @ToledoWalleye has been named the @WarriorHockey #ECHL Goaltender of the Month for March pic.twitter.com/fKcN1W2CUX

— ECHL (@ECHL) April 3, 2024

He allowed two goals or less in six of his seven starts. Bednar stopped all 25 shots in a 3-0 win against Iowa on March 3 and all 25 shots in a 3-0 victory at Greenville on March 16.

Detroit’s 107th overall selection in the 2020 NHL entry draft, Bednar is under contract to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, Bednar is 18-7-2 in 32 appearances with the Walleye this season. He is tied for second in the ECHL with three shutouts while ranking 11th with a 2.74 goals-against average.

Red Wings Prospect Gibson Feted For Defensive Prowess

While it’s been a season in which Red Wings draftee Andrew Gibson (42nd overall, 2023) has been flexing his offensive muscles, it was his defensive acumen that was earning the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman recognition. He is rated among the top three Western Conference defenders in two categories of the OHL Coaches Poll.

Getting their flowers
Congrats on Owen Allard, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Arttu Karki, Jack Beck and Andrew Gibson being recognized in the OHL Coaches Poll
RESULTS : https://t.co/4Ek9GheDip#FearTheNorth | @OHLHockey

— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) April 3, 2024

Gibson, Thomas Budnick of the Guelph Storm and Taos Jordan of the Owen Sound Attack each garnered 16 votes to share top spot as the conference’s best shot blocker. Gibson also would finish third in the voting for the best defensive defenseman.

The 19-year-old rearguard put up career-highs in goals (12), assists (32) and points (44) this season for the Soo, while also posting a plus-36 rating. The Greyhounds are on to the second round of the OHL playoffs after sweeping the Storm.

Ice Chips

Red Wings draft pick Anton Johansson (105th, 2022) and Leksands lost 3-2 in overtime to Frolunda in Game 7 of their SHL quarterfinal series . . . Center Nate Danielson (9th, 2023) dished out four assists as the Portland Winterhawks were sweeping Victoria in the opening round of the WHL playoffs . . . The Griffins signed forward Hunter Johannes to an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2023-24 AHL campaign. He also agreed to terms on a standard player’s contract for the 2024-25 season. Johannes, 25, collected 19 points this season playing college hockey at North Dakota . . . Center Brady Gilmour, a 2017 draftee of the Red Wings (193rd overall), has joined the Walleye. He was recently named top player of the U Sports playoffs while leading New Brunswick to the national title.

The post Red Wings Prospect Report: Bednar Top ECHL Goalie; Gibson Gains OHL Recognition appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

NCAA tournament, junior playoffs begin this week

The post Where to Watch Red Wings Prospects in Playoffs (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

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.

The honors just keep on coming for Detroit Red Wings draft pick Trey Augustine. The Michigan State Spartans freshman netminder is among 10 semifinalists earning nomination for the Mike Richter Award, given annually to the top goalie in men’s NCAA Division I hockey.

Michigan State has set program records for conference wins (15) and points (48) and the first-year goaltender is a big reason for those developments. Augustine, 19, the youngest netminder in the NCAA, ranks in a tie for fourth in shutouts (3) and fifth in victories (19). He’s sixth in winning percentage (.714). Augustine’s 899 saves rates fifth among NCAA goaltenders, while his 1706:20 minutes played in the MSU goal crease is 14th nationally.

Congrats to our freshman netminder Trey Augustine, one of the semifinalists for the Mike Richter Award as the nation's top goaltender!#GoGreen pic.twitter.com/nFcYYHkSAN

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) February 14, 2024

“It’s definitely been a challenge adapting to the pace of play up there but I think I’ve done a pretty good job of getting used to it now and feel like I’m getting more comfortable game by game,” Augustine said.

The 41st player chosen in the 2023 NHL entry draft when the Red Wings were calling his name, Augustine won a world junior gold medal with the USA earlier this year. He wound up leading the tournament in both goals against average (1.75) and save percentage (.936). Augustine was a perfect 4-0 – including wins in the semifinal vs. Finland and the final vs. host nation Sweden. He was playing in his second world juniors, winning silver in 2023.

Big Star In Big Ten

Augustine was also earning recognition last week as the Big Ten second star. Backstopping MSU to a pair of wins over rival Michigan, the netminder from South Lyon, Mich. would stop 66 of 69 shots he faced.

The Richter Award list will be further trimmed down to three finalists in early March. The winner will be announced at the Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn. on April 12.

Sandin Pellikka Lights The Lamp

Red Wings draftee Axel Sandin Pellikka, 18, is the hottest shooter among teenage defensemen in the SHL. Still, it had been awhile since he was illimunating a red lamp.

…and Pellikka is back as a goalscorer!

10th goal of the season

(that's one goal behind the all-time U19D record from 1978-79)#LGRW pic.twitter.com/rh4gfGLpPk

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) February 22, 2024

During a 5-3 victory over MoDo, the player Detroit chose 17th overall in the 2023 draft would tally a goal and two assists. It was Sandin Pellikka’s 1oth goal of the SHL season, but his first since Dec. 7.

Red Wings Pick Gibson Is Rolling

It’s been a productive second half of Feburary for Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defenseman Andrew Gibson. Over his past five games the player Detroit tabbed with the 42nd selection of the 2023 draft is good for four goals and seven points.

The 6-foot-4, 206-pound rearguard has nine multi-point games this season. They include four three-point games and a four-point outing. He’s showing 11-29-40 totals from 56 games. Gibson, who turned 19 on Feb. 13, is sitting with a plus-36 rating, tying him for fifth in the OHL.

The post Red Wings Prospect Report: Augustine up For Honors; Sandin Pellikka Off Schneid appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

His spectacular start to the SHL season has Detroit Red Wings 2023 first-round draft pick Axel Sandin Pellikka turning heads everywhere . . . including those on his own team’s bench.

Asked which of his Skelleftea teammates has been the most impressive this season, captain Jonathan Pudas didn’t hesitate when answering.

“It has to be Sandin Pellikka,” Pudas told SHL.se. “Everyone in the team knew his level, but he has impressed.”

Pellikka's 5th of the season pic.twitter.com/ZXqinjARom

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) October 19, 2023

With five goals through 12 games, Sandin Pellikka (17th overall, 2023) is leading all SHL defensemen in tallies. Only 11 players in the league have more goals than him. Sandin Pellikka, 18, is second overall in goals scored by junior-aged players.

Dower Nilsson Lighting Lamps

Another Red Wings prospect is lighting lamps with regularity in the Allsvenskan, the Swedish Second Division. Liam Dower Nilsson (134th, 2021) is atop the Allsvenskan with eight goals scored for IF Bjorkloven. He’s sixth in the league scoring race with 12 points.

Liam Dower Nilsson's 8th goal in 9 GP this season.

Last year in Allsvenskan he had 3 goals in 32 GP. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/r3GPQwoJix

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) October 18, 2023

Granted, it is Tier II of Swedish hockey, so maybe take the totals with a grain of salt. Still, it’s worth noting that Dower Nilsson was able to tally just three times in 32 games last season while toiling for Vasteras in the Allsvenskan.

Red Wings Pick Buchelnikov Nets FIrst KHL Goal Of Season

Left-winger Dmitri Buchelnikov (52nd, 2022) has played six KHL games for Admiral Vladivostok since he was sent there on loan by SKA St. Petersburg, and he’s finally on the scoreboard.

Buchelnikov is showing one goal and one assist from six KHL games this season. He’s averaging 9:49 of ice time since the move to Admiral.

Danielson A Hero Upon Brandon Return

Center Nate Danielson (9th, 2023) has only scored one goal since returning from Detroit to the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL, but it was a big one. He tallied the only goal of the game in a 1-0 overtime win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

“Good players come through when it matters most and a big-time player made a big-time play in overtime to give us the win,” Wheat Kings coach Marty Murray told the Brandon Sun.

Through seven games, Danielson is showing 1-4-5 totals.

Gibson Stepping Up For Soo

In the OHL, defenseman Andrew Gibson (42nd, 2023) is also off to an impressive start with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He’s 12th among OHL defenseman in scoring. Gibson has collected 2-7-9 numbers through 11 games.

The 6-foot-4, 206-pound rearguard accounted for four assists in a game against the Flint Firebirds. Gibson also produced a goal and two assists in another game facing the Sarnia Sting. His plus-9 rating is tied for third amongst OHL blueliners. Gibson has only been a minus in one game this season.

The post Red Wings Prospect Report: Sandin Pellikka Wowing Teammates appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

(Editor’s Note: This is another installment of Detroit Hockey Now updates on some of the Detroit Red Wings’ top prospects. Today’s subject is defenseman Andrew Gibson from Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)).

Andrew Gibson was overcome by emotion when the Detroit Red Wings selected him 42nd overall at the NHL draft in Nashville last month.

“I was shaking,” he recalled. “I barely remember the feeling but looking at my parents, how much they helped me to get here, and being around the people I love and my agents as well, it was just amazing.”

The love of the game, and the passion, demonstrated by that quote is just one of many reasons why the Red Wings liked Gibson.

Soo Greyhound Andrew Gibson is up next for the Wings pic.twitter.com/8S6aiK0EpA

— Red Wings Rant (@Red_Wings_Rant) June 29, 2023

At a time when the Red Wings are committed to getting bigger, stronger and harder to play against, drafting Gibson made too much sense.

“Big right-shot D man,” said Kris Draper who is an assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting. “He’s got good size. A puck-moving D. He’s got good hockey sense. Skates well, has a bit of an edge to his game.”

His shot from the point has plenty of sizzle.

The Red Wings liked the entire package, enough to view him as a second-round pick. The NHL’s Central Scouting had him ranked 31st among North American skaters. Craig Button slotted him 63rd. Red Line Report had him pegged at 73rd.

Gibson suffered a lower body injury that kept him out of lineup for several weeks, but he returned in time to make Canada’s U18 team for the World Championships.

“We were able to see him play obviously against some pretty high competition and in some pretty good situations,” Draper said.

Analysis

The Red Wings believe Gibson has a chance to develop into a heavy hitter.

“He has it in him,” Draper said. “He will play physical. He’s got a little cross check, a little bite in his game. He certainly doesn’t back down from that side of it…has a nice little edge in his game as well.”

Gibson is tough in front of the net, and his strong skating stride helps him defend well. Red Line Report says he needs to improve “on his awareness and positioning.”

FanDuel Sportsbook Promo #1

ALL STATES WHERE LEGAL

GET THE APP

SIGNUP BONUS$1000 No Sweat Bet
$1000 No Sweat BetBET NOW

Forecast

The Red Wings drafted him because he has a high upside. He has enough offensive ability to be a second pairing guy and enough edge in his game to be a shutdown guy. He will play another season in the Ontario Hockey League, and then turn pro next summer. We would expect to see him with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2024-25. It will take some time to figure out how to blend his abilities together.

Gibson sees himself as a two-way defender.

“I’m looking to use my size more to my advantage within the next couple of years,” Gibson said. “I think I can make an impact for the team.”

The post Tomorrow’s Red Wings: Andrew Gibson Owns Plenty of Tools appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings added to their defense at the start of the second day of the NHL Drat on Thursday in Nashville.

The Red Wings had three consecutive picks in the second round, but traded the third to the Predators for Nashville’s second-round pick and one in the fifth round.

Their first pick, at No. 41, was goalie Trey Augustine, who was born in South Lyon and played in high school at Livonia Churchill before moving to the National Team Development Program. He has committed to play at Michigan State.

Augustine, who is 6-feet, 189 pounds, played in 32 games last season for the USNTDP with a 2.14 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. He won four of six games for the U.S. team at the World Junior Championships, with  2.85 GAA and .891 save percentage. His draft stock rose considerably after that.

The next pick, No. 42, was defenseman Andrew Gibson of the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL. The 6-3, 185 pounder had seven goals for the Greyhounds last season and recorded three assists in seven games for Team Canada in the World Under-18 Games.

“I got a lot of friends and family who are Wings fans,” Gibson said. “I played for the Junior Red Wings in a tournament with Trey. It’s a great feeling being so close to home, being with such a great organization.”

Gibson , who missed eight weeks due to injury last season, uses an accurate wrist shot in traffic to create opportunities for rebounds and tip-ins. He was the Greyhounds’ rookie of the year last season.

“I’m a bigger guy,” he said. “I like to use my size to my advantage. I think I skate well for a big guy as well. I think I can play both ends of the ice, but offensively and defensively.”

After the trade, Detroit took defenseman Brady Cleveland with the No. 47 pick, Cleveland is a Wisconsin native who is signed to play at the University of Wisconsin next winter.

Cleveland was excited to join his teammate, Augustine, in the Red Wings[ draft class.

“I was sitting in the stands when he got picked and I was absolutely pumped for him,” he said, “and then for me to get picked right after is awesome. I really loved playing with him and to be able to go back and play with him again, that would be something really special.”

Cleveland isn’t much of  a scorer — he took only 14 shots in 55 games last season. But at 6-5, 211, he was one of the toughest hitters in the USHL and led the USNDTP with 106 penalty minutes. He’s skilled enough as a defender to play for the U.S. team at the World U-18 Championships.

“That’s kind of what I pride myself on,” he said of his physical game. “I like to be that guy who’s mean and physical and get up in your face and be hard to play against. It doesn’t matter what game, what scenario, I’m going to be out there and make it a nightmare for you.”

FanDuel Sportsbook Promo #1

ALL STATES WHERE LEGAL

GET THE APP

SIGNUP BONUS$1000 No Sweat Bet
$1000 No Sweat BetBET NOW

In the third round, Detroit selected forward Noah Dower Nilsson, a 6-0 left wing who played for Vastra Frolunda Jr. of the Swedish Junior League last season, recording 26 goals and 28 assists in 37 games.

“I think my strength is developing,” he said. “When I have the puck I create opportunities for my teammates. My offensive skills. What I need to be better on is to be stronger on the puck, stronger on the whole and my play in the D zone.”

His brother, Liam, was a fifth-round pick by the Red Wings in 2021. He was with the rest of the family when Noah’s name was called.

“He’s always been with me and my whole family has helped me to get here,” Noah Dower-Nilsson said. “Without them I don’t think I’m here. I will also thank my mom. She has helped me get here today. She’s my biggest idol.”

In the fourth round, the Red Wings took Larry Keenan of Culver Academy, a high school in Culver, Ind. He is the grandson of Larry Keenan, who played for four NHL teams in the 1960s.

The younger Keenan wasn’t surprised to be taken by Detroit.

“They were probably one of the teams that had the most interest in me,” he said. “I know their scout Tim Gibson, he was calling my personal trainer quite a big, even like two days ago, just checking in, making sure everything was good.”

The elder Keenan scored the first goal in the history of the St. Louis Blues, and was on the ice when Bobby Orr scored his famous goal against St. Louis in 1970.

Among those celebrating the pick was the elder Larry Keenan, who is now 83.

“I’m really excited to share it with them and take it all in. Enjoying the moment,” the younger Keenan said.

Detroit had two fifth-round picks, their own and Nashville’s. With their pick they took defenseman Jack Phelan of Sioux City (USHL). With Nashville’s choice, they took German forward Kevin Bicker.

In the sixth round, the Red Wings took another goalie, selecting Rudy Guimond of the Taft School of Watertown, Connecticut.

He plans to spend the next two years with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids team before attending Yale. But the draft was a personal highlight.

“It’s something I’ve been dreaming about my whole life,” Guimond said. “So if (being drafted) were to happen I just really wanted to be here. Nashville’s been great, so I’m really happy I came. And obviously, I got drafted.”

Detroit finished the day by taking left wing Emmitt Finnie in the seventh round. Finnie played for Kamloops of the WHL last season.

The post Red Wings Go For Defense in Draft’s Second Day appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.