Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Prospect Cossa a Workhorse for Walleye

Red Wings prospect Cossa 2nd in ECHL in games and minutes played

Published

1 year ago

December 3, 2022

Bob Duff

Sebastien Cossa is performance workhorse duty for the ECHL Toledo Walleye.

Detroit Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa might not be the busiest player in pro hockey, but he’s certainly a contender for the title. The Detroit Red Wings prospect is proving to be a virtual ever present between the pipes for the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.

Friday, Cossa played his 12th game of the season as the Walleye defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones 4-1. He made 23 saves in recording the victory.

Sebastian. Cossa. pic.twitter.com/Iuqtkvy1xN

— Toledo Walleye (@ToledoWalleye) December 3, 2022

Only one ECHL netminder, Daniil Chechelev of the Rapid City Rush, has spent more time in goal than Cossa. He’s played 13 games and 787 minutes. Cossa is also second to Chechelev in minutes played with 723. Just three ECHL goalies have faced more rubber than the 348 shots against Cossa.

Cossa was the first goaltender chosen in the 2021 NHL entry draft when the Red Wings were selecting him 15th overall from the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings. It’s evident that the objective the Red Wings are setting for Cossa is to see as much action as he can handle as a rookie pro. Had he been staying in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, playing at that pace wouldn’t have been as possible for Cossa. In the ECHL, though, they can run the 19-year-old rookie out there almost every game night.

“Obviously, you don’t see a lot of first-rounders, but I think it doesn’t really matter,” Cossa told FloHockey.tv of life in the ECHL. “It’s different for a goalie, I think, and you’re seeing pro shots still. That’s beneficial for me.

“I’ve been playing a lot down here, which has helped me a lot.”

Cossa is 5-6-1 this season with a 2.82 GAA and .902 save percentage.

Red Wings Want Cossa To Improve Skating

The Red Wings are asking Cossa to concentrate on improving his footwork and skating as he breaks into the pro ranks.

“Going down to the AHL, people don’t realize how good that league is, too,” Cossa said. “I was able to play in the two games there – one good one and one I want back, but it was a good learning experience.

“Down here, it doesn’t have the reputation it deserves. It’s still pro hockey, and for a goalie who’s still developing, that’s the most important thing.”