Duffer’s Dabbles: Former Red Wings D Sproul Playing For China?

Another player with ties to the Detroit Red Wings could be skating in the Beijing Olympic Games men’s hockey tournament. And the country he’ll be playing for is certainly surprising.

Defenseman Ryan Sproul has spent the past three seasons playing for Kunlun Red Star. That’s the Chinese team in the KHL serving as the basis for the Chinese national team. Establishing Chinese residency may be enabling him to qualify to play for the host nation in Beijing.

The Kunlun Red Star has signed Ryan Sproul to a one-year, one-way contract. Welcome to the team! #krs #redstarhockey pic.twitter.com/e9xcFSEnAM

— Kunlun Red Star (@KRSchina) October 16, 2019

That’s if China ends up playing at all. The IIHF is expressing concern about China being so overmatched facing NHL players. There’s real worry about there being some very embarassing scores put up during the Olympic tournament. They are hinting to the Chinese that it might be the honorable thing to bow out of the toruney.

Will Kunlun Red Star’s North American players will be eligible to play for China? The IIHF hasn’t made this clear. Jake Chelios, another former Red Wings player, is also playing for Kunlun Red Star. He’s the son of Red Wings legend Chris Chelios. The Olympic schedule has the Chinese playing in the same division as Canada, the USA and Moritz Seider’s Germany.

Sproul ended up playing 28 games for the Red Wings between 2013-17.

Around The League

Washington: Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary wasn’t the least bit concerned about being slammed into the boards by Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

Detroit: The Red Wings were hoping to land their goalie of the future by acquiring Alex Nedeljkovic from the Carolina Hurricanes. Nedeljkovic is showing that future to be now.

Vegas: With the NHL All-Star Game coming to Las Vegas next year, rumor has it the NHL skills competition will be held on the Vegas Strip.

Washington: Two days after he shut out the Red Wings in his NHL debut, the Capitals were returning goalie Zach Fucale to the AHL Hershey Bears.

San Jose: The Sharks are getting their players back from COVID-19 protocol. At the same time, they’re losing games and getting away from their identity as a team.