Detroit Red Wings Prospect Tournament Overview And Names To Watch

The Detroit Red Wings' annual prospect tournament is set to take place from September 12 to 15 at the BELFOR Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena. This year, the venue will be local, as opposed to the traditional Traverse City, Michigan, location. The tournament features prospects from the Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, and Pittsburgh Penguins. 24 players have been selected for the roster, including several forwards to watch closely.

Kienan Draper, son of former Red Wing Kris Draper, is one of the top forwards to watch at the tournament. Despite playing in only 40 collegiate games last year, Draper scored 5 goals and 13 assists, demonstrating his potential as a professional. Another forward to keep an eye on is Carter Bear, the 13th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Bear has put up 77 points (36 goals, 41 assists) in 53 games for the Everett Silvertips of the WHL last season.

The Wings have eight defensemen in the tournament, with Anton Johansson and Jacob Truscott leading the group. Johansson, a fourth-round pick in 2022, and Truscott, who played for Grand Rapids and Toledo, both have experience at the professional level. The goaltending situation is equally intriguing, with Trey Augustine and Michal Orsulak serving as the backup goaltenders. Augustine, selected 41st overall in 2023, showed promise with Michigan State, while Orsulak, drafted 79th in 2023, had a stellar season in the WHL.