It looks like the Red Wings found some another diamond in the rough in their latest second round draft selection. Victor Plante has been vital to Team USA’s offense in the World Junior Summer Showcase.
Playing on the top line centered by Sammy Nelson, Plante has only been held scoreless once so far in his WJSS matchups, in the opening game against Finland. Plante followed it up with a three assist performance against Sweden on Monday, and notched another yesterday with the combined USA roster.
Another of the Red Wings draft picks, JP Hurlbert, has also been giving a solid showing. While Hurlbert hasn’t yet lit the lamp, he has drawn praise from Team USA’s Coach, Adam Nightingale. Nightingale will be seeing a lot of University of Michigan commit Hurlbert even after the Showcase as head coach of Michigan State.
At the professional level, the NHL has found it’s new highest paid player just a couple of weeks after Leo Carlsson broke the market open by signing an 18 million dollar AAV extension with the Anaheim Ducks. Fellow California-based center Macklin Celebrini set the new high mark with an 18.8 million dollar AAV extension yesterday.
Celebrini was one of the best players in the NHL last year, with many considering the 20-year-old for the Hart Trophy. The young Sharks center finished last year with 45 goals and 70 assists. That was the fourth most points in the NHL last year, and his 45 goals were tied for fourth in the league.
It seems like the future is bright for California hockey.
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Another Red Wings draft pick that fans have been excited to see is Eddie Genborg, the young Swedish forward who made a name for himself last year with his physical style of play, despite being one of the youngest players in the SHL. Genborg did play for the Grand Rapids Griffins after his season with Timra IK finished, however, which was the last many Red Wings fans saw of the hard hitting winger.
The SHL season won’t start until September, so for now, Red Wings fans hoping to see Genborg will have to be satisfied with this video in which no. 18 can be spotted a couple of times.
Genborg had 25 points across 43 games in the SHL last year, and added a goal and two assists in twelve games with the Griffins.