Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Daily: Former Detroit Center Nielsen To Retire; Viro Left Off Finnish World Tourney Squad

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2022

Bob Duff

Frans Nielsen, former Detroit Red Wings player

Former Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen is retiring after playing for Denmark in the World Championship tournament in Finland later this month.

Former Detroit Red Wings center Frans Nielsen will suit up for Denmark in the upcoming IIHF World Championship. Then he will hang up his skates for good.

Nielsen, 38, revealed his plan to retire from the game to Denmark’s TV2 Sports.

“This is my last season, and I have always thought that it has been great to be with the national team, so it could be great to end my career in that jersey,” Nielsen explained.

Sounds like Frans Nielsen could be hanging them up. If that’s the case, a fantastic career. Terrific guy. https://t.co/xj4szIZQGf

— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) May 4, 2022

Nielsen signed a six-year, $31.5-million contract with the Red Wings in 2016. Bought out of the final year of the pact last summer, he played this season with Eisbaren Berlin. They won the German DEL championship on Wednesday.

“I have pain in my body every morning, but you forget that when you walk on the ice,” Nielsen said.

Red Wings Prospect Viro Not Part Of Finnish Squad

Host Finland named its preliminary squad for the May 13-29 IIHF World Championship. Red Wings defensive prospect Eemil Viro, who was just playing with TPS in the SM-liiga final, is not included on the roster.

However, several players with Red Wings connections were picked. They include longtime Detroit forward Valtteri Filppula and defenseman Oliwer Kaski and Vili Saarijarvi, both once part of the Wings organization. Goalie Harri Sateri, a former Grand Rapids Griffin, is also with the squad.

Griffins To Open AHL Season Oct. 14

The Grand Rapids Griffins will open their 2022-23 AHL season on home ice at Van Andel Arena on Oct. 14. The AHL confirmed this on Wednesday.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Hockey returns to The Van on October 14th! #GoGRG

Details >> https://t.co/d12muLdnif pic.twitter.com/cpjZCUiZzM

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) May 4, 2022

Game time will be 7 p.m. ET. An opponent will be announced when the AHL schedule is released during the summer.

Djoos A Champion

Christian Djoos, a Red Wings defenseman last season, is a Swiss champion. And the title arrived in spectacular fashion.

Rallying from a 3-0 series deficit, EV Zug, the team Djoos plays for, won four games in a row to capture the league final in seven games over ZSC Lions.

ZSC was the Swiss club of current Red Wings center Pius Suter.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Robby Fabbri is five weeks into his rehab from knee surgery
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is excited by the potential Elmer Soderblom offers
Grand Rapids coach Ben Simon pays homage to departed Detroit coach Jeff Blashill

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