Like clockwork, the Detroit Red Wings used a mid-round pick to select a goaltender. This time around, it's Michal Orsulak with the 79th pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Orsulak, a Czech goaltender, finished off a great season with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL, posting a .907 save percentage and 2.22 goals against average.
Orsulak only lost four games in the regular season and played a huge role in Prince Albert's success this season, securing a 28-4-4 record. On the international stage, he had a bit of a tougher time, posting a .874 save percentage in the World Junior U20 Championship with a 3.19 goals against average.
Orsulak is Detroit's third selection in the 2026 NHL Draft, the first being J.P. Hurlbert and the second being Max Plante's brother, Victor Plante.
Fun fact: Orsulak is the sixth goalie (and third Michal) in Detroit's prospect pool, joining Michal Postava, Trey Augustine, Rudy Guimond, Carter Gylander and Michal Pradel in the strongest goalie prospect pool in the NHL. He's also the third player the Red Wings have drafted this year that's heading to the NCAA, having committed to Northestern next season.
It's kind of funny that the Red Wings have three goalies named Michal in the system, isn't it?
What the Red WIngs can expect from Orsulak
It will likely be a while before Orsulak is NHL ready, but he couldn't be in a better position from a prospect standpoint. He's committed to Northeastern next season and joins an absolutely loaded development team dedicated to helping him improve his game. Elite Prospects praises Orsulak for his mobility and aggressiveness -- two traits once held by former prospect Sebastian Cossa.
"Oršulák can mobilize with strong push power, maneuvring across the crease in an instant, and challenges aggressively, maximizing his coverage of the net," the prospect profile reads. " Recovering from his saves quickly, he jumps up to his feet in a readied stance instantly."
It seems like the Red Wings almost inevitably select a goaltender in the draft. Steve Yzerman has selected a goaltender in six of his eight drafts with the Red Wings, with Orsulak being his most recent.
One thing that fans can expect from Orsulak, however, is positivity.
“He is the happiest guy every single day,” Prince Edward Raiders coach Ryan McDonald said. “He absolutely loves coming to the rink. He’s the first guy who walks through the door. His gear wasn’t here on time, so it was putting stuff together to get him on the ice. He went on the ice with mismatched, different colored gear and whatnot, and just went out there and stopped the puck, and did a tremendous job.”
Relentless positivity is something the Red Wings need in spades right now, especially with soon-to-be-former captain Dylan Larkin demanding a trade.
Time will tell whether or not Orsulak dons the Winged Wheel. But, until then, it's safe to say the Red Wings got a fun-loving netminder to add to their Multitude of Michals.
Add us as a preferred source on Google