No. 18: Red Wings Like Svrcek Speed and Spunk

Editor’s Note: This is the 18th installment of a Detroit Hockey Now series assessing the Detroit Red Wings’ prospects’ path to the NHL. The emphasis will be on what their chances are of playing regularly in the NHL and when we can expect to see them wearing the Winged Wheel.

NHL Draft status: 119th, 2025

Detroit Hockey Now Ranking: No. 18 Red Wings prospect

Hgt./Wgt: 5-10, 190 pounds

Age/Experience: 19, playing this season for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League.

It’s never an easy decision for a prospect to know where he should play when he is 19. This summer, Slovak forward Svrcek had to decide whether he should remain in the Swedish Hockey League to play against pros or jump to the CHL to play against players his own age.

Did he need to stretch himself against veteran players or build his confidence in the junior setting? There is no right answer.

It always depends on the player and where he is at in his development.

Svrcek decided on Windsor (in close proximity to the Red Wings) was his best option. The Spitfires, who took Svrcek 53rd in the 2025 Import Draft, believe he will thrive in the CHL.

“It was a tough decision last year,” Svrcek told the Windsor Star. “It wasn’t even my decision because I had a contract in Sweden and I couldn’t go, but I was excited to come here and play here this season.”

Svrcek was a bit overmatched last season in the SHL. He was pointless in 12 regular season and three postseason games for Brynas IF Gavla.

But he was dominant in Swedish junior competition, piling up six goals and 18 points in 11 games.

Playing well in the OHL is probably the boost he needs to be ready for the pro game. He should be able to put a charge into his offensive potential.

High hockey IQ, understands how the game should be played. Strong on the forecheck.

Windsor coach Greg Walters says Svrcek boasts “a huge engine.” He can skate, owns breakaway speed

Comes with a strong work ethic and possesses a strong desire to improve his game.

He isn’t the biggest player on Detroit’s prospect list. Can he play his aggressive style against much bigger opponents?

And will his offensive prowess translate to pro hockey? Those are questions that have not been answered yet.

Presuming he will have an impressive OHL season, the Red Wings would sign him and send him to Grand Rapids

Based on his size and what he has left to work on, we see him playing a full season-plus with the Griffins. We would project him reaching the NHL in 2028-29 or 2029-30.