It’s a major convenience that the Detroit Red Wings’ drive from Little Caesars Arena to Van Andel arena to watch their top prospects play for the Grand Rapids Griffins is only two hours and 22 minutes under normal traffic conditions.
Likewise, it’s a bonus that 2026 first-round pick Michael Hurlbert will be playing 40 miles down I-94 at the University of Michigan this season.
But it’s both practical and amazingly appropriate that members of management from this Original Six franchise can take the Gordie Howe bridge to see 2025 fourth-round pick Michal Svrcek play for the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League.
Go Ad-Free
The Slovak left wing has only had been with the Spitfires a few days, but they believe he will be a scorer at the junior level. The Spitfires wanted him to play in the OHL last season but he was under contract with Brynas in the Swedish Hockey League.
He didn’t have a point in 12 games for the big club but put up six goals and 12 assists for 18 points in 11 games for their junior team.
“He’ll be leaned on heavily,” Spitfires coach Greg Walters told the Windsor Star.
Key Acquisition
Veteran writer Jim Parker wrote that Svrcek “looks like a piece that will fit nicely in the Windsor Spitfires’ lineup puzzle.”
The spunky 5-foot-10, 175-pound player plays an aggressive, high-energy game.
“When they wanted me to come here and play here,” Svrcek told Parker. ” Istarted watching the results and I felt like that should be my team last year.”
Svrcek will play for the Red Wings in the NHL Prospects Tournament that starts Saturday at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit training camp starts Sept.
17.
The Svrcek OHL debut presumably will be Sept. 18 on the road against the London Knights.
The Spitfires’ home opener is the next night.
