Hey hey it looks like hockey is back! I won’t let myself get too excited until the deal has been officially ratified but today is certainly the most promising of this 100+ day ordeal. Not that there hasn’t been hockey played all along, mind you. Detroit prospects in Grand Rapids, junior hockey and Europe have been busy developing into future Wings. With that, here’s a look back at the Wings ’12 draft class: Martin Frk – Round 2, 49 overall (Halifax, QMJHL), 6’0″ 198 lbs After trading their first round pick, for the second consecutive season, to Tampa Bay in exchange for Kyle Quincey the Red Wings made Martin Frk their first selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. I’d had my eye on Frk since the 2011 World Junior Championships when the guy with no … Read entire article »

When the Detroit Red Wings spend a late pick on a small, Swedish defenceman whose hockey sense they compare to Nick Lidstrom you can hear the other 29 NHL teams gulp. That’s exactly what they got with Adam Almquist, their seventh round pick in 2009. The undersized blue liner (generously listed at 5’11″ and 171 pounds on eliteprospects.com) is in his first professional season in North America after a solid career in the Eliteserien’s HV71 program. His … Read entire article »

Barrie Colts forward Andreas Athanasiou (bottom) drives to the net and takes a shot on Windsor Spitfires goaltender Jaroslav Pavelka. Defending Athanasiou are (clockwise from top) John Bowen, Trevor Murphy, Ryan Verbeek, Jordan Maletta and Ty Bilcke. (Photo by/Rob Benneian) Before reading any further, click the link below and jump ahead to 1:30. Andreas Athanasiou goal It’s not hyperbole when I say Andreas Athanasiou is among the best skaters not currently under an NHL contract. His wheels and hands … Read entire article »

Jake Paterson makes one of 36 saves in a 2-1 loss to the Windsor Spitfires Nov. 23 at the WFCU Centre. (Photo by/Mitchell Brandner) As promised, I caught up with Red Wings prospect and Saginaw Spirit goaltender Jake Paterson for the second time in eight days. Again, he was on the wrong end of the decision, but he was much better this time around. After getting yanked two periods into a 6-1 loss to the Windsor Spitfires … Read entire article »

by Rob Benneian It’s incredible the people you meet in a junior hockey rink. With the Saginaw Spirit in town to face the Windsor Spitfires, I planned to chat with Spirit goaltender Jake Paterson after the game to see how he was doing in his first season since becoming the Detroit Red Wings third round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. It was lingering in the back of my mind that some of the Wings brass might … Read entire article »