Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings of Tomorrow: Donovan Sebrango

Published

2 years ago

June 23, 2022

Nate Brown

Red Wings of Tomorrow is assessing every prospect in the Detroit Red Wings system and what they are projecting to be in the future. We’ll be looking at the strengths and weaknesses of their game, as well as what the future holds for them as they advance through the Detroit organization. Today, we feature defenseman Donovan Sebrango

Donovan Sebrango

Position: Defense

How Acquired: Selected 63rd overall, 2020 NHL entry draft

2021-22 Stats: (GP-G-A-P) 65-1-6-7 (with Grand Rapids)

Contract Status: 3 years remaining (entry-level)

Anticipated 2022-23 Team: Grand Rapids Griffins

Prospect Synopsis

Sebrango is simply steady, and had a very encouraging 2021-22 campaign with the Griffins. The more impressive part–he won’t even turn 21 until January of 2023. Young but very intelligent, he follows in the line of Steve Yzerman defensive draft picks who possess a high IQ and are very responsible in their own zone.

Grand Rapids General Manager Shawn Horcoff and the front office were very impressed with the season that Sebrango had.

“He played the whole entire season,” Horcoff said during an interview for the Word on Woodward. “He had a good season. There’s obviously some things to work on and he knows that. His physical maturity and strength is just something through the years and with time, it’ll get better and improve.”

Sebrango also played strong during international play, netting a goal in the World Junior Championships back in December before it was scuttled due to COVID.

Donovan Sebrango skated in his first full AHL season and totaled seven points (1-6—7) in 65 games. He also represented Team Canada in two contests at the World Junior Championship, scoring one goal.

📰 https://t.co/BoAvqpZ6dx
Season highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/N0mJ57G1Zz

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) June 22, 2022

Estimated Time of Arrival in Detroit

It’s a crowded blue line these days in Detroit’s prospect pipeline, but Sebrango certainly stands as one of the Red Wings’ better defensemen. Ranked seventh in DHN’s Top 10 Defenseman prospects, it’s a curious case for the 20-year-old in terms of when he’ll arrive with the big team.

Donovan Sebrango with his first AHL goal!

Note the shot block in his own end to get things started. #LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/7DqXntgEtf

— Jay (@hwcJay) January 2, 2022

With Yzerman certainly looking to retool the Red Wings blue line, there’s no doubt Sebrango will fit into those plans. It will just be further down the line.

Simon Edvinsson being a likely addition should he impress like Moritz Seider, it opens more time for Sebrango to hone his game in Grand Rapids. Albert Johansson is another likely candidate to get an early look in Detroit, but should he need seasoning in Grand Rapids, it gives the Red Wings the opportunity to see some of their better defensive prospects in action at the AHL level. Since he is waiver exempt, Sebrango could certainly get a cup of coffee next season when injuries inevitably happen.

Likely, it will be later in the season. But his young age combined with the physical maturity Horcoff speaks of, places Sebrango’s full time arrival in Detroit a bit later. Expect a longer look by 2023-24.

But a later arrival in Detroit isn’t a knock on Sebrango. If anything, it will likely make him better and more of an impact when his time does arrive.

“He’s a guy we love,” Horcoff continued. “We love his determination and his competitiveness. He’s got a bright future.”