BACK TO THE
FUTURE Traverse City welcomed the return of NHL prospects for the first time in two years.
Chase Pearson shows he can be an energetic sparkplug as well as a punishing penalty killer.
Photos by Mark Newman
Jonatan Berggren is one of the top offensive talents in the Red Wings’ pipeline. A top-10 scorer last year in the Swedish Hockey League, he became only the 13th player in SHL history to compile over 40 points in a season at age 20 or younger.
Kirill Tyutyayev is a small but savvy sniper who hopes to surprise people during his first season in North America.
Detroit Red Wings fans got a glimpse of their hockey team’s possible future when Traverse City hosted the NHL Prospect Tournament at Centre Ice Arena in September, after the 2020 event was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although no championship trophy was awarded this year, the five-team field included the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, and Toronto Maple Leafs. The five-day event, which was held Sept. 16-20, featured round-robin action, with each team playing either three or four games. 50 Grand Rapids GRIFFINS
Lucas Raymond displays great offensive potential as the Wings’ highest draft pick since the team took Keith Primeau third overall in 1990.
The Red Wings beat the Stars 5-4 to open the tournament, before losing to the Blues and the Blue Jackets by scores of 5-2 and 7-3, respectively. The results were less important than the opportunity to see top NHL prospects for the first time. Lucas Raymond, a Swedish winger who was selected fourth overall by the Wings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, sparkled during his North American debut, tallying three goals in the first two games. Sebastian Cossa, the young Canadian goaltender drafted 15th
