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The Daily: Shine Wasn’t the Oldest; Crosby Lauds Celebrini

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Vaclav Nedomansky, Red Wings
Vaclav Nedomansky was 33 when he made his Red Wings and NHL debut.

Dominik Shine’s tale of making the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings at age 31 is clearly a feel-good story that makes everyone smile.



The Grand Rapids Griffins forward was driving to buy his 21-month-old son Connor hockey skates when he was informed the Red Wings were signing him and bringing him to Detroit.

But he’s not the oldest player to make his Red Wings/NHL debut — at least not technically.

Detroit native Shine (31 years, 284 days) is  the oldest player to make his NHL debut with the Red Wings since Vaclav Nedomansky (33 years, 249 days) played in his first career NHL game on Nov. 18, 1977 at Atlanta. He had three assists in his debut.

But Nedomansky came over from the World Hockey Association, the maverick league that was challenging the NHL. He was not coming over from the minor leagues like Shine was.

Other Detroit debuts to factor in: Jack Walker was 38 when he played for the 1926-27 Detroit Cougars. He had played for the Victoria Cougars, one of the top professional teams before the NHL existed. Walker had also played for the Seattle Metropolitans, a top team in the Pacific Coast Hockey League.

Frantisek Cernik and Milan Chalupa were 31 in 1984 debuts. They both came over from the Czech League.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Marco Kasper scored two more goals against Los Angeles. He’s proving he is going to be the impact players the Red Wings need him to be.

Another younger player is making an impact on the Red Wings: Elmer Soderblom scored the game-winner against the Los Angeles Kings.

Patrick Kane was placed on injured reserve, but he’s still considered day-to-day.

Red Wings Extra

The Red Wings, enjoying a three-game winning streak, will practice today in preparation for a four-game road trip starting Thursday in Edmonton, followed by games in Calgary (Saturday), Vancouver (Sunday) and Seattle (Tuesday, Feb. 4). Detroit (24-21-5) is only two points out of a playoff spot with 32 games remaining. Nineteen of those games are on the road: the Wings cannot qualify for the playoffs without improving on their 9-10-3 road record.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: Now that the Avalanche have traded Mikko Rantanen, what comes next? Colleen Flynn has the answer. Colorado Avalanche. 

Florida: Coach Paul Maurice is frustrated by the Panthers’ challenging schedule. Florida Panthers. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes that it’s “over for tired Penguins. Let the Great Transition begin.” Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: Sheng Peng writes that Sidney Crosby has been impressed by Macklin Celebrini, and he has advice for him. San Jose Sharks. 

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