Red Wings Prospect Does It Again

They’ve come up with a new nickname for Detroit Red Wings prospect Nate Danielson during the WHL playoffs.

They’re calling him Next Level Nate.

Nate The Great is another handle being thrown around that is also an appropriate fit. That’s the thing about lighting it up in the playoffs. You tend to get a lot of attention and a lot of nicknames.

Four-point night for Nate the Great!#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/2OeA0XxrUa

— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) May 2, 2024

Wednesday, the center chosen ninth overall by Detroit in the 2023 NHL entry draft was scoring a goal and dishing out three assists as the Portland Winterhawks were whipping the Prince George Cougars 5-2 in Game 4 of the WHL Western Conference final.

Game 5 goes in Portland tonight. With a win, the Winterhawks would advance to the WHL final for the first time since the 2013-14 season.

Red Wings Pick Danielson Delivering The Goods

If they do, the Winterhawks can reserve plenty of thank yous for Danielson. The player Portland acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings at the WHL trade deadline has accounted for 10 points over the last three games, all Winterhawks victories.

He was good for three assists in a 5-3 victory in Game 2, earning the game’s first star. Danielson was adding another three assists in Game 3 and was selected third star as Portland won 4-1.

Nate Danielson has been on another level at the Western Conference Championship.

Logging a four-point night in Portland's decisive win over the Cougars on Wednesday night, the @DetroitRedWings prospect is up to 10 points in his last three games.@pdxwinterhawks | #WHLPlayoffs

— The WHL (@TheWHL) May 2, 2024

Wednesday, Danielson gained selection as the game’s first star. Over 12 playoff games, he’s stat line is showing four goals and 16 assists.

Fellow Red Wings draftee Emmitt Finnie has played against Danielson since youth hockey and knows his game well as an opponent.

“He was a terrific player this year,” said Finnie, who played this season in the WHL with Kamloops. “He gave our team definitely some trouble when we played him.

“I can’t say enough good things about him. He’s a great guy off the ice and an even better player on the ice.”