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 have had strong starts to their seasons.

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

Alex Cotton remains an intriguing prospect for the Red Wings.  Drafted in the 5th round in 2020, Cotton is a late-blooming player who was passed over in his first draft year.  Cotton played in the Prospects Tournament and got into some preseason games with Detroit.  An alternate captain in Lethbridge (WHL), Cotton has played five games and recorded 4G-2A-6PTS for the Hurricanes.  Cotton remains unsigned and must be signed by June 2022 if he is going to remain property of the Detroit Red Wings.

Cross Hanas appears to be showing his offensive creativity once again for Portland (WHL).  The hard working Hanas, played in the Prospects Tournament for the Red Wings.  So far this season, Hanas has scored two goals and six points in his first eight games.  Hanas must also be signed by Detroit by June 2022 if he is going to remain property of the Red Wings.

Kienan Draper is starting to show why the Detroit Red Wings drafted him in 2020.  The Miami Univ. (Ohio) commit, is currently playing for Chilliwack (BCHL). Draper has scored one goal and six points in six games to start the season.  Draper is expected to play in the NCAA next season.

Pasquale Zito has had a nice start to his season.  A 6th round draft pick of Detroit in 2021, Zito has played seven games for Windsor (OHL) and has already set a career best with four goals.  Zito should continue to develop following a year without playing any games.  Zito’s season was lost when the OHL cancelled the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year.

Oscar Plandowski has had a really slow start offensively for Charlottetwon (QMJHL). The 5th round draft pick of the Red Wings in 2021, Plandowski has one assist in 10 games for the Islanders.  After a relative strong offensive season last year (5G, 12A, 17 PTS in 39 games), more offensive is expected from the smooth skating Plandowski.

Sebastian Cossa

Sebastian Cossa remains the #1 goalie on the top ranked team in the CHL.  Cossa has started eight of Edmonton’s first nine games.  If it’s possible, Cossa’s statistics are even better than last year.  He has a 5-2-1 record with a 1.37 GAA and .948 SV%.  An invite to Team Canada’s Selection Camp is just down the road for the Detroit Red Wings’ top goaltending prospect.

Jan Bednar

Jan Bednar continues to develop as a goaltending prospect in a very offensive oriented league.  Bednar has played seven of the 10 games Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) have played.  Bednar has a 4-1-1 record with a 2.73 GAA and a .917 SV%.  Expect Bednar to play for the Czech Republic in the World Junior Tournament after Christmas.