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.

The Detroit Red Wings cannot be sure how valuable the first round pick Nate Danielson (drafted ninth overall, 2023) will be in the NHL. But they now know his value as a Western Hockey League player.

The Portland Winterhawks gave up two first round picks (2025 and 2027), plus a fifth-round pick and two players (Nick Johnson and Rhett Ravndahl) to the Brandon Wheat Kings for Danielson. He was the Wheat Kings’ captain.

Wheat Kings Hate to Trade Danielson

“It’s honestly the hardest day of my career since being in this position,” Wheat Kings head coach and GM Marty Murray said in a statement on the Brandon website. “To have to move a player like Nate is very, very difficult. For us, we felt like it was an opportunity for us to continue to push, that’s going to be a really important message to our guys that we feel we have the troops to be a playoff team and keep growing and make strides. At the same time, it’s hard to move a player like Nate.”

Danielson played impressively in Red Wings’ training camp and registered two goals and assists for four points in five NHL preseason games. He has followed that up with 12 goals and 26 points in 26 games for Brandon. Recently, Danielson put up a goal and two assists for Canada at the World Junior Championships in Sweden.

“He deserves a spot on the wall of fame,” said Murray. “He’s one of the highest draft picks in Wheat Kings history, he’s an unbelievable hockey player as we all know, and more importantly he’s a great human being. He wore the jersey with pride.”

He is now joining a Portland team that already boasted five NHL-drafted players. It’s common practice in junior hockey team for teams to trade older players to contenders. The Winterhawks are in second place in the Western Conference  and the Wheat Kings are in sixth play in the Eastern Conference.

The post Red Wings’ First-Round Pick Nate Danielson Traded in WHL appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Two Detroit Red Wings prospects are going on in the medal round at the IIHF World Junior Championship and one is going home.

Defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall, 2023) assured that the host nation would survive to play in the semifinals. His overtime goal gave Sweden a 3-2 victory over Switzerland.

“I had aimed at that place three times before, but then I missed the entire target cage,” Sandin Pellikka told Swedish website Aftonbladet.se. “So it was lucky that the last one went in.”

It was the first goal of the tournament for the defenseman who has netted nine goals in SHL action this season for Skelleftea. He’s collected 1-2-3 totals through six games of tourney play.

“It was absolutely magical,” Sandin Pellikka said. “I didn’t understand what happened. I just heard people screaming.

“It was damn nice to see it go in and I’m happy that we came out victorious from this fight.”

OVERTIME WINNER

Axel Sandin Pellikka sends Sweden to the semifinals!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/8brD3erzhT

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 2, 2024

Sandin Pellikka’s success was enjoyed by the home crowd in Gothenburg, including 15 members of his family. Afterward, Sandin Pellikka was able to share a hug with his parents Janne and Josefin.

“Great fun that they always come along and check,” Sandin Pellikka said. “It is a boost to know that they are in the stands.”

A look at Axel Sandin Pellikka’s goal and the Swedish celebration from above.

That was a fun one. pic.twitter.com/DbbZq2Svrz

— /Cam Robinson/ (@Hockey_Robinson) January 2, 2024

Fellow Red Wings pick Anton Johansson (105th, 2022) is also patrolling the blueline for the Swedish defense at the WJC.

Red Wings Top Pick Heading home

Center Nate Danielson, selected ninth overall by Detroit in the 2023 NHL entry draft, eight picks prior to Sandin Pellikka, wasn’t so fortunate. He’ll be heading home empty handed after Canada was upset 3-2 by Czechia.

Danielson finished the tournament with a goal, two assists and a plus-two rating from five games.

Goaltender Trey Augustine (41st, 2023) was watching from the bench as the USA dismantled Latvia in their quarterfinal match. The Red Wings goaltending prospect is showing a 1.50 goals-against average and .952 save percentage for the tournament.

Semifinal action will be taking place on Friday. The Swedes will be playing Czechia, while the USA is battling with Finland.

The post Red Wings Pick Sandin Pellikka Heroic for Swedes at WJC appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Things couldn’t have gone much better for Detroit Red Wings picks on the opening day of action at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Center Nate Danielson (9th overall, 2023 NHL entry draft) was collecting a goal and an assist. He also was picking up Canadian player-of-the-game honors as Canada was whipping Finland 5-2.

A year ago, Trey Augustine (41st overall, 2023) became the first 17-year-old netminder to win four games for the USA at a world junior tourney. Tuesday, he was picking up where he left off. Blocking 20 of 21 shots, including 10 first-period saves, he led the Americans to a 4-1 verdict over Norway.

“Our goaltending was excellent,” USA coach David Carle said. “We have some things to work on, but it’s nice to get a win to start the tournament.”

Swedish Power Play Dominating

Meanwhile, host Sweden was serving notice that you take penalties against them at your peril. The Swedes went 3-for-5 with the man advantage in their 6-0 shutout of Latvia. And the man who is the QB of that power-play unit is Red Wings defensive prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall, 2023).

“It paid off well (Tuesday),” Sandin Pellikka told Swedish website Aftonbladet.se. “We must continue like this.”

Anton Wahlberg makes the building erupt A powerplay goal for @trekronorse gets the game going! #WorldJuniors #SWELAT pic.twitter.com/69hb8q4zJE

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) December 26, 2023

Anton Wahlberg tipped in a Sandin Pellikka point shot to open the scoring while Sweden was enjoying the man advantage.

“Power play is a very important thing and when you get the chance you can push a puck there,” Sandin Pellikka said. “It is clearly important that we are efficient there and we must continue with that.”

Germany’s Kevin Bicker (147th overall, 2023) gets his tournament underway today against Finland.

Red Wings Pick Tyutyayev Heading Home

The Kirill Tyutyayev experiment has officially come to an end. He’s heading home.

The dinimutive Russian forward was a curiosity when the Red Wings made him the final selection, 190th overall, of the 2019 NHL entry draft. During the 2017-18 season, Tyutyayav scored 47 goals and 114 points in 31 games for Spartakovets Yekaterinburg of the Russian U18 league in 2017-18.

F Kirill Tyutyayev, the 23-year-old forward from Russia, is leaving the @ToledoWalleye. He has signed to play back home for a team in the VHL (Gornyak-UGMK). “Toots” had 13 points with one goal and 12 assists in 24 games for the Walleye this season. pic.twitter.com/sk5KY7PSkM

— Mark Monroe (@MonroeBlade) December 26, 2023

He was never able to put up anything near that level of output in North America. Tyutyayev accounted for two goals and six assists in 39 AHL games for the Grand Rapids Griffins. There was cause for optimism when he put up 47 points in 39 ECHL games with the Toledo Walleye last season. However, Tyutyayev was good for just 1-12-13 numbers over 24 games with Toledo this season.

He’s signing with Avtomobilist Yekaterinberg in his hometown, but joining Gornyak UMMC of the VHL, their farm club in Russia’s second division.

Buchelnikov Gains Recognition In Russia

Red Wings draft Dmitri Buchelnikov (52nd overall, 2022) is finding his footing with Admiral of the KHL and it’s beginning to show up on the stats sheet. The 20-year-old left-winger has scored in two of the last three games. In fact, with 4-9-13 totals through 24 games, Buchelnikov has collected all four of his goals over Admiral’s seven games so far this month.

Earlier in December, Buchelnikov was given recognition as the KHL Newcomer of the Week. It’s the second time he’s won the award.

The post Red Wings Prospect Roundup: Impressive World Junior Start for Detroit Picks appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Nate Danielson was turning a lot of heads during an impressive showing during his first Detroit Red Wings training camp last fall. He’s continuing to make an impression wearing a different red jersey at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

Danielson is also already enjoying better outcomes this month in Sweden then those that were afforded to his future NHL club when the Red Wings went 0-1-1 in two NHL games played in the Scandanavian country.

Danielson scored the opening goal and set up the second as Canada was rolling to a 5-2 verdict over Finland. It was the tournament opener for both nations. For his efforts, Danielson was earning recognition as Canadian player of the game.

The first goal of the tournament and an assist … Your Player of the Game is Nate Danielson!

Auteur du premier but du dans le tournoi et d’une mention d’aide… votre Joueur du match : Nate Danielson!#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/DLYfhooLs8

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 26, 2023

“We stuck to our game, and when we do that, there are not a lot of teams that can play with us,” Danielson told IIHF.com.

Danielson buried the rebound of a Denton Mateychuk shot to give Canada a lead at 16:24 of the first period. Early in the second period, he set up Owen Allard for Canada’s second goal. He wpuld finish the game plus-3 with four shots over 16:23 of ice time.

“We had some sustained pressure, and the puck kind of bounced to their defender and I poked it between his legs,” Danielson said. “Allard was sitting back door and I found him.”

Danielson Impressive At Red Wings Camp

Danielson, 19, was the ninth overall selection of the 2023 NHL entry draft. He’s accounted for 11-14-25 totals in 24 games this season with the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings. He was impressive during his first NHL training camp. Danielson remained with the Red Wings right up until the final roster cut following preseason play.

Lamoureux + Danielson = #WorldJuniors | #MondialJuniorpic.twitter.com/Bn1RYa298m

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 26, 2023

“I expect him to play a big part of their World Junior team, which is always a good experience,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said. “He has a confidence about him which I really like. I love the fact that even as young as he is, he came in (to camp) with an ‘I want to make the team’ mentality, which is exciting for me.”

The post Red Wings Pick Danielson Stars In Canadian Victory appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

All of the first three players chosen by the Detroit Red Wings during the 2023 NHL entry draft figure to be playing in this year’s IIHF World Junior Championship.

Tuesday, center Nate Danielson (ninth overall) was given an invitation to Canada’s training camp. Goaltender Trey Augustine (41st overall) was also extended an invitation to the US Hockey camp. Defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall) was previously getting picked to the pool under consideration for the Swedish squad.

Danielson shows 8-12-20 totals in 21 games this season with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. Meanwhile, Augustine is 9-3-2 with a .911 save percentage and 3.17 GAA for Michigan State of the Big Ten. He was part of the USA squad that won a bronze medal at last year’s tournament.

USA Hockey will be holding its world junior selection camp Dec. 14-16 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.

Red Wings Pick Sandin Pellikka Scores Again

Leading all SHL defensemen with eight goals, Sandin Pellikka was lighting the red lamp for the third time in Champions League competition on Tuesday. His goal wasn’t enough to get Skelleftea a win, however. They lost the first game of their quarterfinal to Farjestad by a 4-3 count.

Sandin Pellikka with his 3rd goal (8GP) in Champions Hockey League play #LGRW pic.twitter.com/iL18mvlbSG

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) December 5, 2023

Both Sandin Pellikka and 2022 Red Wings draftee Anton Johansson (105th overall) will be seeking spots on the Swedish defense for the world juniors.

James, Buium Go Head To Head

Two of the top NCAA hockey programs, each with a Red Wings prospect in their lineup, were clashing on the weekend. The 2022 NCAA champion Denver Pioneers and the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

In Friday’s series opener, both North Dakota’s Dylan James (40th overall, 2022) and Denver defenseman Shai Buium (36th overall, 2021) were playing starring roles. Buium scored Denver’s first goal and assisted on two others as the Pioneers were racing to a 5-3 lead. The three-point performance would tie a career high for Buium.

Shai Buium picks up his 1st career NCHC Defenseman of the Week award and the 2nd weekly honor of his career.

Read More: https://t.co/n8tTiB0mBs#GoPios pic.twitter.com/5VpUdyDYxz

— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) December 5, 2023

However, left-winger James would be having the last laugh. His first-period goal opened the scoring. In the third period, he would dish out the primary assist on the goal that knotted the count at 5-5. North Dakota eventually would claim a 7-5 win.

For his efforts, though, Buium would gain recognition as the NCHC Defenseman of the Week. He’s garnered 3-8-11 totals over his past 11 games.

North Dakota currently sits No. 1 in the NCAA rankings, while Denver slots in at No. 5.

Swedes Lean On Old Red Wings

Sweden’s senior national team will be playing in the upcoming Swiss Hockey Games Dec. 14-17 against Switzerland, Finland and the Czech Republic. For this tourney, head coach Sam Hallam is opting to lean heavily into the ghosts of Red Wings past.

Former Red Wings showing up on the Swedish roster include forwards Christoffer Ehn and Jacob De La Rose and defenseman Patrik Nemeth. As well, forward Pontus Andreasson, who spent last season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, is getting his first look with Sweden’s national team.

The post Red Wings Prospect Notebook: Danielson, Augustine to World Junior Camps 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.

The 2023-24 seas0n is nearly two months along, and beginning this week we’ll be keeping tabs on Red Wings prospects in the minors, or juniors, or in college in what we’re calling the Prospect Watch.

It’s not a ranking or assessment of talent, (For now, we’ll leave that to the guys Chris Ilitch is paying to do that) but it will be a snapshot of how prospects fared in the previous week. So the fact that players move up and down on this list is purely our perception, not where we think they rank in the organization.

Sandin Pellikka Off to Fast Start

Axel Sandin Pellikka is off to a blazing start in Sweden, recording his seventh goal in 18 games this season. That’s good for a forward. It’s amazing f0r a defenseman. Sandin Pellikka. the 17th overall pick last summer,  is off to the best start for a teenage defenseman in Sweden in 40 years. Ulf Samuelsson, who was very briefly a Red Wing at the end of his NHL career, had nine goals in 33 games in 1982-83.

Axel Sandin Pellikka (#LGRW) had the first three-point game of his SHL career on Nov 16th.

It was also a transition masterclass, showcasing why he's quickly becoming one of the best defensive prospects in the sport.

Highlights: pic.twitter.com/jdOI84wFsn

— Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) November 18, 2023

Trey Augustine had a big weekend for the red-hot Michigan State hockey team. He was in net for both games as the Spartans (10-3-1) swept top-ranked Wisconsin. Augustine has a GAA of 2.99, a save percentage of . 913 and is 9-3-1 with a shutout while playing in 13 of MSU’s 14 games this season.

Simon Edvinsson has had a solid start even as the Grand Rapids Griffins stumble. The Griffins were swept by the Texas Stars last weekend. Edvinsson had a pair of assists in a 7-4 loss on Saturday. He has three goals in 13 games this season, well ahead of last year’s pace.

Mazur Hot After Return From Injury

Carter Mazur, who missed training camp with an injury suffered in Traverse City two months ago, has five points in seven games so far this season. He has two goals and three assists. That’s the same as Cross Hanas and Amadeus Lombardi, who have played in 13 and 12 games, respectively.

Red Savage is off to a good start at Michigan State after transferring from Miami (Ohio). He has four goals and 14 points in as many games for the Spartans.

Nate Danielson makes scoring goals look soooooo easy!@bdnwheatkings | @DetroitRedWings pic.twitter.com/M9Rc4vq6DA

— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 18, 2023

Nate Danielson and Emmitt Finnie represented the Western Hockey League at each end of last summer’s draft. Danielson, the No. 9 overall selection, was impressive in training camp before beginning the season with Brandon. He has five goals and 13 points. Finnie, taken in the seventh round at No. 201, has four goals and 13 points for Kamloops.

Red Wings 2023 draftee Jack Phelan (137th overall) was among the 22 players named to the 2023 U.S. Junior Select Team that will compete at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge from December 10-17 in Truro, Nova Scotia. The 19-year-old defenseman is showing 1-4-5 totals with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede.

The post Red Wings Prospect Watch: Trey Augustine Posts Big Wins appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

It was his number long before he became a Detroit Red Wings prospect, but Cross Hanas knows for sure when the day comes that he makes the grade as an NHLer with the Wings, it won’t be the number he’ll be wearing on his back.

That’s because Grand Rapids Griffins forward Hanas wears No. 71, the same digits as Detroit captain Dylan Larkin.

Cross Hanas gets his first goal of the season tonight!

It’s wild with how hard he’s been playing that this is just his first. He broke the ice now watch him explode over the next few games! #GoGRG #LGRW pic.twitter.com/iEBowogDXz

— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) October 22, 2023

“It’s the number I’ve worn since I was a little kid, but I know I’m not going to get that (number in Detroit) obviously, and I don’t want it,” Hanas said. “It’s totally fine. I’ll write another story.

“I won’t even ask Larks for it. Not even close.”

During preseason games with the Red Wings, Hanas wore No. 74.

Danielson Heating Up

Detroit’s top pick in the 2023 NHL entry draft at ninth overall, center Nate Danielson is getting into a groove with the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings. Following a slow start that saw him garner just a goal and two assists through his frst six games after returning from Red Wings camp, Danielson has caught fire.

He’s put up 1-4-5 numbers over the past three games, collecting at least one point in all three games. As well, Danielson has put 16 shots on goal through the three game. He’s also won 65.06% of his faceoffs (54 of 83).

Sandin Pellikka Under World Tourney Consideration

Detroit’s other 2023 first-round selection, defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall) will be playing for Sweden in international hockey action this season at the IIHF World Junior Championship. However, that may not be the end of his contributions on the ice for his country.

Following the success of teenager Leo Carlsson for Sweden at last season’s senior men’s worlds, Tre Kronor coach Sam Hallam won’t rule out the possibility that Sandin Pellikka could play for the Swedes at next spring’s world tourney. Playing for Skelleftea, Sandin Pellikka, 18, is leading all SHL defensemen with six goals.

“If you look at his achievements, he is involved in discussions, he is relevant,” Hallam told Swedish wesbsite Expressen.se.

“We have these two litters, 04 and 05, that we enter the (world juniors) with, which are absolute top litters. In those hills there are many aspiring superstars. It’s a long season and a (world junior) can also suck the juice out of players. We’ll see how they look in January and beyond.”

Niederbach On The Board

Red Wings draftee Theodor Neiderbach (51st overeall, 2020) finally has a crooked number in the goals column. The center/winger scored for MoDo Hockey in a 4-3 overtime victory over Farjestad.

Theo Niederbach with a great backcheck, and later in the same shift his first goal of the season. pic.twitter.com/HH03JpPoYY

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) October 26, 2023

It was Niederbach’s first goal of the season. He’s swhowing 1-3-4 totals and a minus-8 rating through 14 games this season.

The post Red Wings Prospects Notebook: Griffins Hanas Knows His Number is up appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.