Wings sign 3 entry level contracts
GM Ken Holland signed three Red Wings draft picks to entry level contracts this past week. All three are expected to play for the Wings AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapid Griffins.
Evan McGrath made a three year deal. The 5′11″ center was Detroit’s fourth round pick (128th overall) in the 2004 Draft. Last season, he played for the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL where he scored 37 goals and notched 77 assists in 67 games.
“It’s going to be a longshot for him to make the team (in training camp) based on our depth at forward, but we want to have a spot or two open for competition,” Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “He’s got to learn to compete a little harder, but he’s got skills, hands, hockey sense and can think the game.”
Defenseman Jonathan Ericcson was signed for two years after being picked 291st overall (ninth round) in the 2002 Draft. Over the past three seasons, Ericsson has played in the Swedish Elite League for Sodertalje.
Ericsson, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound blueliner, told Norrkopings Tidningar the Red Wings want him to play in their minor-league system in the fall. He also told the paper he is ready to make the transition overseas, and feels his game would be a good fit in smaller North American rinks.Selected with the last pick of the 2002 draft, Ericsson was a forward until five years ago and is a raw, long-term project with considerable potential.
The 22-year-old is big with a booming shot and isn’t afraid to play physical, though his all-around game has a long way to come.
The final contract was for one year with Stephan Liv, a 6′0″ goaltender. The Wings made him their fourth round pick (102nd overall) in the 2000 Draft. It seems that Holland continues to like the Swedish players.
He has played for HV71 Jonkoping of the Swedish Elite League and also was the backup goaltender for Team Sweden as they captured the gold medals in both the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 2006 World Championships.
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