On Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings signed forward Dylan James to a two-year entry-level contract beginning at the start of the 2026-27 season. James will report to Grand Rapids for the remainder of the season on an amateur tryout.
James, a former second-round pick of the Red Wings, was selected 40th overall during the 2022 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He was a member of the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League at that time.
A look into Dylan James’ 2025-26 season
The 22-year-old has spent the past four seasons at the University of North Dakota, where hispoint total has climbed each year. Through 40 games this season, James recorded 21 goals and 11 assists, good for the fifth-most points among all Fighting Hawks players this year. James’ 21 goals were also good for the team lead on a Fighting Hawks team that lost in the semi-finals to Wisconsin 2-1 in the NCAA men’s Frozen Four. James recorded one assist in the loss.
James’ point totals rose each year, going from 16 in his freshman season, to 19 in his sophomore year, to 22 in his junior campaign, before 32 in his senior season. The continued growth also showed off the ice, as James was named an assistant captain for the Fighting Hawks.
Elite Prospects praised James’ ability to play with the puck. “Along the boards is where James is most effective with the puck, he drives his leg in front of the defender, followed by his hips to establish body positioning,” reads the EliteProspects 2022 NHL Draft Guide. “With the defender secured to his back, he looks to make a play to the middle, either with a pass or attacking to the net. The physical game translates to the defensive end too. Where many players reach, he takes the extra strike to come across the puck carrier. If he can’t get the steal, his non-stop pressure guides attacks to the perimeter.”
James joins goaltender Trey Augustine, Eddie Genborg, and Noah Dower-Nilsson as recent players that general manager Steve Yzerman has signed to their entry-level contracts.
Timeline for Dylan James’ arrival
The Griffins have already clinched the Central Division title with three games remaining in their regular season. With a bye already secured to the divisional round, the Griffins have the opportunity to see how James’ game translates at the professional level.
A full season at the AHL level makes sense next year, as the Red Wings management generally like to give their prospects a full season in the AHL before they debut at the NHL level. If the Red Wings’ offensive struggles continue to persist next year and James shows he can be a scoring threat, he could force the team's hand during the 2026-27 season.