Nate Danielson’s junior season has come to an end but he could still see some game action yet. Detroit’s AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids announced that the Red Wings have re-assigned the center to AHL Grand Rapids.
The 19-year-old was the ninth overall selection last June following a strong campaign with WHL Brandon. This season, he put up similar numbers, notching 24 goals and 43 assists in just 54 contests between Brandon and Portland, who acquired him midseason after suiting up for Canada at the World Juniors. Danielson was quite productive in the postseason as well, collecting 24 points in 18 games, good for a tie for fourth in WHL playoff scoring.
If he gets into a game, he’ll be the fourth Detroit first-round pick and sixth draft choice overall to make his Griffins debut a year after being drafted. Grand Rapids won the opener of the Central Division Finals back on Wednesday so they will have some time to work Danielson into their lineup if they want to give him a taste of AHL action ahead of what should be his first full professional campaign next season.
The guy is a stud!
Let’s not forget Brandon was not a good team, he didn’t have much help there.
A forward whose plus minus has been way up on the plus side except for his 22-23 season with the Wheat Kings. Nice!! Just what the Wings need, a 200 foot player who can put up points without allowing much defensively. Get his experience in GR and maybe here and there limited ice time on the Wing’s 4th line to get the speed and experience needed down the road a bit. Having a game head to put up points and keep a positive plus minus, he might just be up to it.