Detroit Red Wings Announce 2023 Rookie Tournament Roster
The Detroit Red Wings have announced their 2023 rookie tournament roster, along with the schedule. The tournament is being held this year from September 14th through September 17th at the Center Ice Arena in Traverse City, Michigan. Players participating include draft picks and free agent invites.
Detroit Red Wings Bring Prospects to Traverse City
The Red Wings have a total of nine free agent invites, including two centers, two right-wingers, one left-winger, three defensemen, and one goaltender. Forwards attending are Matyas Melovsky (Baie-Comeau QMJHL), Dean Loukus (Saginaw OHL), Israel Mianscum (Sherbrooke QMJHL), Nic Sima (North Bay/ Saginaw OHL), Jake Uberti (Mississauga OHL/ Bathurst QMJHL). Defensemen include Connor Punnett (Barrie OHL), Finn Harding (Mississauga OHL), Jackson DeSouza (Kelowna WHL), and the lone goaltender is Lukas Matecha (Dynamo Pardubice Cze-Jr).
There may be a few Red Wings prospects with a bit more pressure on them than the rest of the rookie roster. Forward Marco Kasper made his NHL debut last season, playing one game. Unfortunately, he was hurt in that game and missed the rest of the season. The question is, is Kasper fully recovered and ready to make Detroit’s main roster out of camp? Kasper showed in camp last season he is worth the price of admission, and showcased his talent in his only NHL game. He has the talent to be an impact player in the middle six. Kasper should be a full-time player in the lineup within the next couple of years. He is one of the most talented young players in Detroit’s entire organization.
Nate Danielson, Detroit’s 2023 first round pick (ninth overall) wants to come into rookie camp and show the Red Wings organization that he was worth the early pick in the draft. He is a prototype Red Wings player who competes and is a terrific two-way player. Danielson could be a Dylan Larkin-type of player in the near future but, for now, he is getting started in the organization and may need a couple of years with American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. He has skill, speed, and work ethic to take a quick rise to the top of the organizational depth chart.
One player who is taking tremendous steps is goaltender Sebastian Cossa. He took massive steps last season in his development and appeared in three games with the Griffins. The 20-year-old Cossa is entering a big year for both himself and the organization. He has the potential to be the starter for the Detroit Red Wings in the near future but needs more seasoning in the AHL. He is on the cusp of a great career but needs to polish up a few things before he appears in the NHL.
This rookie camp and tournament will have battles for spots throughout the organization. Depending how some players do they may be moved up sooner than expected or placed down for some more experience. Shortly after the rookie cap ends, the Red Wings main training camp will start.