Detroit Red Wings Prospects Focus: North American Junior

The Detroit Red Wings currently have seven prospects playing junior hockey in North America.  Most of these players continue to have strong starts to their seasons.

Here is a look at each of the players after the weekend.

Cross Hanas

Cross Hanas is playing for a contract and he may just get one from the Red Wings.  The 2020 2nd round pick for Detroit, now has five goals and 17 points in 15 games playing for Portland (WHL).  Hanas is an alternate captain for Portland and he leads the Winterhawks in scoring.  If he signs an entry level contract with Detroit by next summer, he will likely start his professional career in Grand Rapids next year.

Pasquale Zito

Pasquale Zito has really taken off for the Windsor Spitfires (OHL).  After missing the entire season due to the OHL canceling all games last year, Zito has scored six goals and 11 points in 12 games.  Zito is an alternate captain in Windsor and is now 4th in team scoring.

Alex Cotton

Alex Cotton was traded from Lethbridge to the Vancouver Giants (WHL) last week.  The overage defenseman started to contribute to the Giants immediately as he has scored two goals and three points in his first four games.  On the season, Cotton has six goals and nine points in 12 games but, he is -10 on the defensive side of the puck.  With his new team, Cotton needs to defend better if he wants to earn a contract before he can become a free agent next summer.

Kienan Draper

Kienan Draper has decided to go to the University of Michigan next year.  Playing at Michigan will give the Red Wings a chance to watch Draper’s development closely.  The Wolverine commit is picking up offensively and now has scored seven points in 12 games for Chilliwack (BCHL).

Oscar Plandowski has played steady defense for the Charlottetown Islanders in the QMJHL.  He has two goals and four points in 18 games this year.  Plandowski is also +4 and plays on the #2 defense unit for the Islanders.  Charlottetown are currently in 2nd place in the QMJHL standings.

Sebastian Cossa has played 15 games for the #5 ranked team in the CHL, the Edmonton Oil Kings.  Cossa has a record of 9-3-3, a 2.10 GAA, and a .928 SV%.  Edmonton are currently 2nd overall in the WHL standings.

Jan Bednar continues to play well in goal for the Acadie-Bathurst in the QMJHL.  On Saturday, Bednar stopped 30/34 shots in a 6-4 victory.  For the season, Bednar has a 6-5-1 record, 3.21 GAA, and .905 SV%.