The Left Wing Lock

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Disappointment doesn’t begin to describe how Ryan Sproul felt to be one ot the last players cut from the Canadian world junior selection camp. After returning to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound defenseman had new drive and determination.

“Going in I didn’t have any expectations, but of course I wanted to make the team,” he said. “Once I got cut, I used it as motivation to keep pushing. It was one of those things in the back of my head all the time. I just decided to do as well as I … Continue Reading

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Andreas Athanasiou believes he is NHL ready. The 18-year-old understands that the Red Wings take thier time with prospect development and he’s willing to wait for his opportunity.

“I know I have the ability to skate with the guys in the NHL,” Athanasiou said. “I have the quickness and speed and I know I can think the game pretty well.  I think I am NHL ready, but obviously they take their time with players.

The 6-foot, 179 pound forward spent the past week in Traverse City, MI at the Red Wings development camp. … Continue Reading

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Marc McNulty wasn’t sure he would even get drafted. So when the Red Wings made him the 169th overall selection in the June entry draft, the 18 year-old was thrilled.

“It was pretty special for me and my family,” he said. “We sat and watched the first round and a the draft went on I tried to take my mind off of it. To hear my name called by Detroit was incredible because I didn’t know where or if I was going to go.”

McNulty is a raw package of size and mobility, … Continue Reading

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Xavier Ouellet can hardly contain his excitement about starting his professional hockey career. The 6-foot, 187 pound defenseman finished his final season with the Blainsville-Boisbriand Armada scoring 10 goals and 41 points in 50 QMJHL games.

“Overall it was a good season,” he said. “It was kind of hard because there was a lot of adversity for the team and for myself. I’ve had a high ankle sprain on and off throughout the season. It’s part of hockey and I am better for going through that.”

The 19 year-old also represented Canada at … Continue Reading

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Alexei Marchenko had no idea what to expect from his first Red Wings development camp. The Moscow, Russia native had planned to make the transition to North America after his contract with CSKA of the KHL expired, but the experience of the past week are far different than what he imagined.

“When you speak of coming to North America it is one thing, but when you feel it on the ice it’s another,” Marchenko said. “This camp just gives something to think about and something to work on. Now I know what to … Continue Reading

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Zach Nastisiuk can’t help but smile as he talks about his first development camp. The 18 year-old  understands he has a long road ahead, but he’s excited to learn from a group of former NHL players that include Kris Draper, Tomas Holmstrom, Jiri Fischer, and Chris Chelios.

“It’s incredible seeing how they act and seeing them on the ice and their work ethic,” he said. “You see it on the TV, but it isn’t the same. When you see it first hand then you understand what it takes. It’s been eye opening … Continue Reading

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Forgive Martin Frk if he come across as tired these days. The 19 year-old forward has played 90 hockey games this year including 13 representing the Czech Republic at the 2013 World Junior championship as well as an extended playoff run with Halifax in route to the Memorial Cup. But don’t mistake his exhaustion for lack of determination or enthusiasm about his hockey future.

“The season was very long this year,” Frk said. “I am just trying to get back into shape. I didn’t skate after the Memorial Cup at all, so … Continue Reading