While the World Juniors are still a little more than a month away, it hasn’t stopped the Red Wings from making an early decision on their plans for defenseman Moritz Seider. The German Ice Hockey Federation announced that Detroit will be loaning Seider to participate in the tournament.
The 18-year-old saw his stock rise continually last season to the point where he wound up being selected sixth overall by Detroit back in June. As he wasn’t selected out of the CHL, he’s not subject to any restrictions about playing in the minors and the Red Wings have taken full advantage of that as he has logged a regular shift with their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. He has been particularly productive as well, collecting 11 points in 20 games. A continued strong showing there coupled with a good performance in the tournament could have him on the radar for a late-season call-up; he can play up to nine NHL games without officially burning the first year of his entry-level deal.
Seider is no stranger to representing his country at the World Junior level. He has played in the last two World Junior Division A tourneys, one level below the main group. The German squad won promotion to the top division last year and Seider will play a critical role in trying to help them stay in that top tier next month.
Why is Veleno eligible for the AHL already as a 2018 pick out of junior?
He was given exceptional status in the QMJHL, allowing him to start a year early. The CHL-NHL agreement is 20 years old or at least four years of major junior experience. He’s 19 but since he had four QMJHL years under his belt, he was eligible to turn pro this season.
Ah thanks Brian
The Mo Seider pick will just be another example of how great Steve Yzerman is at scouting talent. Nobody had him going in the top 15 picks and the wings took him at #6 and it seems like he is the real deal and Yzerman took a lot of heat for taking him 6th
The kid is one heck of a defender already, watched him play against Milwaukee, and he was a pretty solid guy to watch the whole game, the Wings are gonna have a good one in a few years