The Left Wing Lock

After a season filled with eye opening performances, Petr Mrazek is confident he’s ready to earn a spot with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. The 20 year-old netminder signed a three-year entry level contract with Detroit in October that will take effect this fall.

“I can’t wait to turn pro,” he said. “It will be a transition but I am ready. I’ve been working hard for this for a few years now and it is exciting that the time is finally here.”

Mrazek spent the last three seasons playing for … Continue Reading

Xavier Ouellet has set the bar high for himself after an outstanding 2011-2012 season. The two-way defenseman scored 21 goals and 60 points in 63 games with Blainville-Boisbriand of the QMJHL. Ouellet accomplishments are even more impressive when you consider he was also serving as the team captain for the first time.

“I was a young captain at 18 years old,” Ouellet said. “We had a good bunch of leaders with me so there was plenty of leadership. It was a nice experience and it worked out well.”

The Red Wings, who … Continue Reading

Give Andreas Athanasiou a few years of development, and he hopes he will be known as another Red Wings draft steal. The 17 year-old was projected by some to go as early as the first round of the 2012 entry draft, but Detroit nabbed him 110th overall.

“Coming into the season I was rated up there in the first round,” he said. “I just didn’t get the opportunity in London last year and I think that is why I fell (on draft day). I am happy now and to be part … Continue Reading

Trevor Parkes is hoping to rebound from a difficult first season as a professional hockey player. The 21 year-old played 44 games for the Grand Rapids Grriffins of the AHL scoring just 2 goals and 8 points.

“It was definitely an adjustment going to the pro level,” he said. “There were highs and lows all season long and it was a little difficult to get used to going in and out of the lineup.”

Parkes had higher expectations for himself after scoring 33 goals and 62 points during his final season with … Continue Reading

Ben Marshall isn’t in any hurry to play for the Detroit Red Wings. The 19 year-old is at least three years away from playing professional hockey and he’s more than willing to take the long road.

“That’s the big thing the Red Wings focus on is taking a slower road,” Marshall said. “They wait a long time for their players. I still have some development to do so I am just focusing on working hard and getting better.”

The St. Paul, Minnesota native just finished his rookie season at the University of … Continue Reading

I appeared on the Vic McCarty show with Anne Reeves (Director of the Red Wings Events in Traverse City, MI) on July 10, 2012.  We discussed the Red Wings development camp and Bryan Rufenach Day.  To listen to the podcast click here.

Mike McKee sat through seven rounds of the 2011 NHL draft in St. Paul, Minnesota and didn’t hear his name called by an NHL team. So when it was time for the 2012 draft, he opted to stay home.

“It was kind of tough to sit through it last year,” he said. “When I didn’t get picked, I just put my head down and kept working hard hoping it would happen this year. When it was the Red Wings, I was just as surprised as anyone because I didn’t talk to … Continue Reading