Detroit Red Wings Prospect Focus: North American Juniors

The Detroit Red Wings currently have seven prospects, three forwards, two defensemen, and two goaltenders, playing junior hockey in North America.  Two players, Cross Hanas and Alex Cotton, must be signed to entry-level contracts this summer or they can become free agents.  Goaltender Sebastian Cossa has already signed his entry-level deal.  The remaining players have at least one more year before they need to sign with Detroit.

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

Prospect Focus: Pasquale Zito (LW/C, Windsor, OHL)

The Detroit Red Wings took a gamble last summer when they drafted Pasquale Zito in the 6th round of the NHL Entry Draft.  Zito missed the entire season because his Windsor Spitfires team plays in the Ontario Hockey League and the league canceled all games due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

This season Zito has elevated his game from where it was two seasons ago.  In his rookie season in Windsor, Zito played 46 games and scored three goals, 10 assists, 13 points, and had a -3 rating.

Zito is a spark plug when he is on the ice.  He is not affraid to drop the gloves (see video link above) and has 37 PM this season.  Red Wings fans will love this guy!!

In the last nine games this year, Zito has scored six goals, four assists, 10 points, and a +1 rating.  Zito scored his 20th goal on the weekend in his 39th game.  He has also contributed 15 assists, 35 points and a -2 rating.

The Red Wings have until June 1, 2023 to sign Zito to an entry-level contract or he will become a free agent.

Cross Hanas continues to pad his stats in the WHL.  In his last eight games, Hanas has scored two goals and added eight assists for 10 points and a +7 rating.  Hanas has now moved into 14th in WHL scoring.  In 49 games, he has scored 20 goals, 45 assists, 65 points, and a +26 rating.

Kienan Draper continues to trend upward as a Red Wings prospect.  In his last seven games, Draper had three goals, four assists, and seven points.  For the season, Draper has played 46 games and has now scored 17 goals, 25 assists, and 42 points.

Alex Cotton has resumed playing on the Vancouver blueline.  In his last three games, Cotton had one goal and one assist, and a +3 rating.  On the season, Cotton has played 41 games and has scored 12 goals, 19 assists,319 points, and a -14 rating.

Oscar Plandowski continues to struggle offensively while playing on the Charlottetown (QMJHL) blueline.  In his last six games, Plandowski picked up one assist and a +1 rating.  In 37 games, Plandowski has now scored four goals, nine assists, 13 points, and a +14 rating.

Sebastian Cossa continues to wins games for a strong Edmonton (WHL) team.  During his last five games, Cossa has a perfect 5-0-0 record.  In 37 games, Cossa now has a record of 28-6-3 with a 2.29 GAA, five shutouts, and a .913 SV%.

Jan Bednar is also providing a winning presence while tending goal for Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL).  In his last five games, Bednar has a 4-1-0 record.  In 27 games, Bednar now has a 16-7-3 record with a 2.90 GAA, two shutouts, and a .903 SV%.