Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Daily: How to Make Friends and Influence People at Development Camp

The top prospects of the Detroit Red Wings are mending fences with old foes and making new friends during the club’s development camp

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2022

Bob Duff

Sebastian Cossa says you can chirp a player on the ice and still be pals off the ice.

Answering a question about what he was most hoping to gain from development camp, Detroit Red Wings defensive prospect Eemil Viro’s response was an interesting take.

“I think the friends on the team,” Viro said. “Getting to know the new guys, it’s gonna help me for next season. I’m really looking forward to that.”

The gathering of top prospects by an NHL team creates a very intriguing dynamic. These are the elite among the future of the game, from junior, college and European hockey. For most, it’s the first time they’ve met. That can prove awkward for longtime foes who suddenly find themselves fighting for the same side.

Good morning, Detroit!

Time to get at it. #DRWDC pic.twitter.com/A4Xk7DgDGR

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 11, 2022

For anyone familiar with hockey culture, it won’t be the least bit surprising to discover that bad blood between opponents flows away easily like water under a bridge when they become teammates.

“It’s definitely a bit (odd at first),” Detroit goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa admitted. “When you don’t know a guy off the ice, on the ice you obviously make assumptions of the guy.

“But everyone here’s been great. At the end of the day, everyone’s competing on the ice. I think off the ice, everyone’s personality is a bit different. You might be chirping on the ice but off the ice, you can definitely become friends.”

Griffins Sign Lacroix

The Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s AHL faarm club, have signed left wing Cedric Lacroix (luh-KWAH) to a one-year contract. He’s the son of former NHL forward Daniel Lacroix, currently coach of the QMJHL Moncton Wildcats.

Cedric Lacroix, 27, spent the majority of the 2021-22 campaign with the Tucson Roadrunners in the American Hockey League. He accounted for three assists and 76 penalty minutes in 33 games. He also saw action in three games with the AHL Chicago Wolves last season.

Elsewhere, Lacroix was collecting 6-6-12 total and 54 penalty minutes in 19 games with the Indy Fuel in the East Coast Hockey League.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Wondering where goalie Sebastian Cossa will be playing next season? So is he
The Red Wings are opting not to tender qualifying offers to Olli Juolevi and Mitchell Stephens
How Detroit first round pick Marco Kasper became an Austrian film star
Red Wings prospect Carter Mazur is showing the team’s brass how much he’s willing to work to make the NHL
Detroit goalies Alex Nedeljkovic and Ville Husso share a similar history and future

Hockey Now Network

Pittsburgh: While Evgeni Malkin was walking away to dive into the UFA pool, the Pittsburgh Penguins were signing Rickard Rakell to a new contract.

Vancouver: Goaltender Michael DiPietro is being tendered a qualifying offer by the Vancouver Canucks.

Montreal: First overall draft pick Juraj Slafkovsky is impressing all early into the Montreal Canadiens development camp.

Boston: GM Don Sweeney is confirming that negotiations to be bringing center David Krejci back to the Boston Bruins are heating up.

Vegas: Forward Brett Howden wasn’t tendered a qualifying offer by the Vegas Golden Knights. However, expectations are the two sides will be agreeing to a new contract before Howden is hitting the open market on July 13.

Philadelphia: A source close to soon to be UFA Johnny Gaudreau is telling Philadelphia Hockey Now that Gaudreau would love to play for the Philadelphia Flyers but is doubtful that the team has enough money to pay him.

Washington: Why the Washington Capitals are making the decison not to tender a qualifying offer to goalie Ilya Samsonov.

NY Islanders: Just acquired by the New York Islanders from Montreal, defenseman Alex Romanov has been offered a contract by CSKA Moscow, the KHL team coached by Sergei Fedorov.

San Jose: New San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier appears willing to be keeping the door open to the possibility of trading Brent Burns.

Florida: The Florida Panthers won’t be tendering a qualifying offer to RFA goalie Jonas Johansson.

Colorado: Joe Sakic is kicking himself upstairs. He’s now director of hockey operations and Chris MacFarland is the new GM of the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche.