The Detroit Red Wings re-signed center Joakim Andersson to a one-year contract on Friday. Datsyuk chipped in three goals and a pair of assists in Detroit’s seven-game Atlantic Division playoff series loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 18-year-old came over to the United States to learn North American hockey during a season with the Gamblers.
Advertisement
Right-hand shot, thats big, too, for me, Saarijarvi continued.
Vili Saarijarvi was a forward until four years ago and still has that offensive mindset while playing defense. I was a forward, thats probably why Im so offensive minded.. He describes himself as a two-way player, but wants to focus a lot of getting bigger and turning into a power forward type who can put up points in a bottom six role. Those are my strength.
“He did not know a word of English at the start of the season and now he speaks fluently”, said Wright, who added he was the only Russian player they interviewed at the combine that did not come with an interpreter.
“He’s a good skater, he’s got a great skill set and hockey sense and size”, Wright said.
Goaltender Joren Van Pottelberghe was Detroit’s fourth-round pick, 110th overall. The 6-2, 187-pound netminder also played for Switzerland in the world under-18 championship. “We had the opportunity to move back, but we had him rated pretty high”.
Chase Pearson (140th)Youngstown (USHL) center is Canadian-born with strong NHL bloodlines.
Holway likewise is committed to Maine.
“That’s really important”, Pearson said of being the son of an NHLer. ” “They know what it takes to make it there and I think they will help me make the next step when I”m ready.”. Pearson committed to Maine after a season in which he had 11 goals, 14 assists and 96 penalty minutes in 55 games for Youngstown (USHL). “Offensively, I’d like to produce more than I did previous year”. “That’s what I know most. My D-zone is definitely something I have to work on”. “At 18 years old the right-shooting defenseman stands at 6’4” and weighs in at 201 lbs. He’s raw, but has a significant offensive upside. Size, strength, competitiveness, hockey sense, skill.. Just to get drafted was a thrill after sitting through 199 selections.
We had him higher on our list, Wright said. “We just fell in love with him”.
Adam Marsh (200th)Detroit drew again on bloodlines for its last pick.
Advertisement
Chicago-native Marsh will return next season to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the Saint John Sea Dogs. In 60 games, he scored 24 goals and twenty assists for 44 points as a 17-year-old. “Obviously it’s been widely talked about, and you guys have talked about it extensively, and we have to … if you do not draft any right-handed defensemen you never have any in your system”. When he was available at 200th overall it was a no-brainer for us.
