Early Returns: Ouellet and Sproul Sign Entry Level Deals
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Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul at Red Wings 2011 training camp
The Red Wings recently announced the signing of defensemen Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul to three-year entry level contracts. After strong training camps followed by impressive CHL seasons, both players were rewarded with early contracts.
Ouellet is a classic Detroit defenseman in the making. The 6-foot, 187-pound blueliner is a strong puck moving defenseman who also plays responsibly in his own end. The Bayonne, France native piled up 21 goals and 60 points in 63 games while serving as the captain of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL. Ouellet is also one of three nominees for the Emile Bouchard Trophy awarded to the top defenseman in the QMJHL.
Sproul, who is an extremely hard worker on and off the ice, is a raw package of size and skill. The 6-foot-3, 176 pound defenseman is also a good puck mover and a booming shot. The Mississauga, Ontario native has worked tirelessly to improve his defensive game and his efforts are clearly visible. This season Sproul piled up 23 goals and 54 points in 61 games for the Sault Ste-Marie Greyhounds despite suffering a broken jaw in January that required him to have his jaw wired shut.
It isn’t surprising Detroit opted to sign both players, but it is eye opening that they decided to do it a year early. Sproul and Ouellet are the first two 2011 draft selections to earn NHL contracts even ahead of the much more heralded Tomas Jurco among others. The Wings, who entered the 2011 NHL entry draft needing to add to their defensive depth, may have accomplished just that with the selections of Sproul and Ouellet. Both players are years away from getting an NHL chance, but the the early returns are positive for the players and the organization.