It’s a family affair in Hockeytown!
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The Detroit Red Wings selected forward Kienan Draper, the son of 4-Time Stanley Cup winner Kris Draper, in the 7th round of the 2020 NHL Draft:
With the 187th pick in the 2020 #NHLDraft, the #RedWings select F Kienan Draper.#DRWDraft x #LGRW
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 7, 2020
Welcome home, @kienandraper33‼️#DRWDraft x @LabattUSA pic.twitter.com/XgI9dRInvE
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 7, 2020
The younger Draper spent several years coming up through the Little Caesars youth hockey club; last year with St. Andrews College, Draper scored 26 goals with 25 assists. He’s expected to play more college hockey at Miami University (Ohio).
The elder Draper played over 1,100 NHL games, the vast majority of them coming with Detroit after being acquired from the Winnipeg Jets for the grand total of $1. He was a member of the famed “Grind Line” and also won the 2003-04 Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward. He now currently serves on GM Steve Yzerman‘s staff as Director of Amateur Scouting.
BONUS CONTENT
William Wallinder talks Nicklas Lidstrom after being selected by Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings know a thing or two about having some great Swedish players don the Winged Wheel. Naturally, they added to their rich Swedish heritage with their first two selections in the 2020 NHL Draft, taking Swedes Lucas Raymond and William Wallinder with the 4th and 32nd overall picks, respectively.
After it was announced that Wallinder was the newest addition to the Red Wings family this morning, he immediately spoke via virtual format regarding his new NHL future home – and to nobody’s surprise, a legendary Red Wings defenseman came up in conversation: Nicklas Lidstrom.
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“I know about them, I watched them when I was younger,” Wallinder said. “Everyone knows who Lidstrom is; he’s the best Swedish defenseman who ever played.”
He had been projected by many to be a first-round selection, but wasn’t upset when his name wasn’t called on Tuesday night.
“Of course I was nervous,” Wallinder said. “But I was not too upset. I know it doesn’t matter if you go in the first or second rounds. There’s a lot of good players, and the only thing that matters is what you do after the draft. You still keep working hard and going for it. You can’t stop working because you didn’t go in the first round.
