The Left Wing Lock

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Andreas Athanasiou has speed to burn and tonight he used it to ignite the Red Wings top line. Playing along side Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha the trio  accounted for two of Detroit’s three goals against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“We played well together and I think the chemistry came quick,” Athanasiou said. “I played with Mantha all year last season and then at the end of the year when Larkin came I was playing with him so there’s  a little bit of chemistry with them. I think we played well together and it was just good to get the win tonight.”

The 6-foot-2, 193 pound forward was drafted for speed and off the charts skating ability. As he’s matured, Athanasiou’s hands and defensive game have improved greatly.

“I’ve always worked on my hands,” he said. “I think that is what makes me more of a player than just my speed is my ability to carry the puck, but I have learned the last two years in junior is how to play a 200 foot game. With my speed, I can always put myself between the player and the net and that’s something I have really worked on.”

The 21 year-old forward spent his first professional season in the AHL with Grand Rapids last year. In 55 games he scored 16 goals and 32 points while also having a productive post season picking up another 5 goals and 9 assists in 16 games.

“It was one of the best years for me,” Athanasiou said. “We had such a tight core group so it made going to the rink everyday fun. I learned a lot from the guys down there and I am looking forward to another good season.”

Unfortunately the rookie forward had his season cut short due to a broken jaw suffered in December last year. The injury, which was misdiagnosed at first, forced him out of the lineup for seven weeks with his jaw wired shut.

“It was tough being away from the boys,” he said.” I was so eager to get back and a bunch of them helped me with my recovery. It was such a tough injury but they helped me get through it.”

When he returned to the lineup, Athanasiou had dropped close to 25 pounds from being limited to a liquid diet. He also was unable to train regularly because his breathing was impacted. Needless to say the speedster had his work cut out for him this off season getting his muscle mass back.

“It was a good summer for me and I worked on getting bigger and stronger,” he said. “I came back into the lineup at 170 pounds after the injury so  I had to really work hard. I had to push hard and me and my trainer had to work hard to get that weight back.”

With the hard work and freak injury behind him, Athanasiou is enjoying being a leader on Detroit’s entry in this year’s NHL prospect tournament while also looking ahead to this upcoming season.

“I just want to do my part to help get the win,” he said. “Whether it’s this team, Grand Rapids or where ever I play this coming year, I just want to build on my play and help my team win. That’s always the goal and I think I have done that so far this tournament.”