Detroit Red Wings

Duffer’s Dabbles: Mazur Off To Fast Start: Berggren Next Up For Red Wings?

Published

2 years ago

November 25, 2021

Bob Duff

Red Wings 2021 draft pick Carter Mazur has scored 7 goals in 12 games for the Denver Pioneers to share the NCHC freshman goal scoring lead. Photo Courtesy: Tri-City Storm Team Photographer Eldon Holmes.

Detroit Red Wings draft pick Carter Mazur has wasted little time adjusting to NCAA hockey. The Denver Pioneers left-winger has scored seven goals in 12 games. That gives Mazur a share of the NCHC freshmen lead in goals with his Denver teammate Massimo Rizzo.

Netting his seven goals on 37 shots, Mazur is showing a 18.9% shooting percentage. With 7-3-10 totals, he’s averaging 0.833 points per game.

A-MAZUR-ing! 😯

The freshman weaves through traffic to put @DU_Hockey on the board with an #NCHCTopPlay #NCHChockey x #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/o1acw0xLIv

— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) November 21, 2021

Born in Jackson, Michigan, Mazur grew up a Red Wings fan. His favorite player as a kid was Darren Helm. In youth hockey, one of his coaches was Red Wings director of amateur scouting Kris Draper.

“Being drafted by an organization like the Red Wings is unreal feeling and so surreal to me,” Mazur admitted, recalling the atmosphere when he heard the Wings calling his name 70th overall on draft day.

“Honestly it was unbelievable,” Mazur said. “We were sitting in a bar and grill place watching it on TV and saw my name come up. I look over and my mom’s crying, my dad’s also crying, my grandpa’s there crying.

“It was unbelievable just getting drafted by the hometown team, especially growing up playing at LCA. It’s just unbelievable.”

Mazur is among three Red Wings draft choices playing for the Pioneers. Defensemen Shai Buium (36th overall, 2021) is a freshman with Denver. Defenseman Antti Tuomisto (35th, 2019) is a sophomore.

Might Red Wings Recall Berggren?

The status of Red Wings forward Joe Veleno is still uncertain. Veleno left Wednesday’s 2-1 win over the St Louis Blues with an upper-body injury.

If it’s determined that Veleno is going to miss significant time, in all likelihood the Red Wings will need to recall a forward from AHL Grand Rapids. And no forward in GR is currently holding a hotter hand than Jonatan Berggren.

Berggren collected a goal and an assist Wednesday at the Griffins doubled up on the Milwaukee Admirals 6-3. He’s scored three times in the past two games. Berggen leads GR with six goals.