With the 2017 National Hockey League Draft on the horizon, let’s take a look at how the 2016 Detroit Red Wings draft picks are faring.
A total of seven players were chosen in the 2016 NHL Draft by the Red Wings. The seven have all taken different paths following the draft, three of which are already with the Griffins.
D Dennis Cholowski
The Red Wings top selection in the draft signed a three-year entry-level contract with the organization in April. He joined the Grand Rapids Griffins and made one appearance with the American Hockey League team.
Prior to his time with the Griffins, Cholowksi played at St. Cloud State. In his freshman season, the defenseman had 12 points with 11 assists and one goal.
F Givani Smith
In October, Smith signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Wings. He would go on to play for the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League. However, in March, he was sent to join the Griffins. He made three appearances in Grand Rapids.
Quick video of new #Griffin Givani Smith
— Griffins Nest (@GrGriffinsNest) March 27, 2017
pic.twitter.com/Z77mNvMii6
For the Storm, Smith had an impressive 44 points with 26 goals and 18 assists. Additionally, he racked up 139 penalty minutes.
D Filip Hronek
The Czech Republic native signed with the Red Wings in July to a three-year entry-level contract. He played for local OHL team Saginaw Spirit. In 59 appearances, Hronek had 61 points with 47 assists and 14 goals.
In March, Hronek joined the Griffins on the west side of Michigan. The defenseman made 10 appearances for the AHL side and scored his first professional goal.
He scored this fantastic shootout winner as well.
.@hronek_filip = 🔥#GoGRG pic.twitter.com/47puhUzRli
— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) April 13, 2017
D Alfons Malmstrom
The fourth-round pick played in Sweden for Örebro HK J20. He had seven points in 43 appearances.
D Jordan Sambrook
Sambrook played in 61 games for the Erie Otters in the OHL. The defenseman had 40 points with 25 assists and 15 goals.
#RedWings prospect Jordan Sambrook with a goal & 2 assists. Sambrook has a hard shot which he shows off in all 3 of these highlights. pic.twitter.com/lzumatXjLk
— Kat (@msconduct) March 4, 2017
G Filip Larsson
The only goaltender the Red Wings drafted in 2016 spent this past season playing for Djurgårdens IF J20 in Sweden. Larsson posted a 2.24 goals against average and .925 save percentage in 31 appearances. He will play with the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League next season.
F Mattias Elfstrom
Elfstrom was the Red Wings final draft pick in 2016. The forward played for Malmö Redhawks in the Swedish top division. He made four appearances for them. However, he spent the majority of the season with IK Pantern in the second division. Elfstorm had four points in 22 appearances for Pantern.