Detroit Red Wings
Watson Making Most of Red Wings Chance
Veteran forward has goals in successive Detroit games
The newest addition to the Detroit Red Wings lineup, veteran left-winger Austin Watson is savoring the latest up in what’s been an NHL career filled with ups and downs.
Since his recall from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Watson has scored in consecutive games.
Austin Watson scores his 2nd goal in 2 games after not scoring since 2023. 🚨 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/pbLzGEmKho
— Ryan Hana (@RyanHanaWWP) March 26, 2025
“It does feel good to reap some of the rewards of just sticking with it,” Watson said.
As a youngster from Ann Arbor, Watson grew up as the oldest of 10 kids – eight brothers and one sister. The 18th player chosen in the 2010 NHL entry draft by the Nashville Predators, Watson didn’t play a full NHL season until his fourth pro campaign.
“I’ve faced a lot of adversity in my career,” Watson acknowledged. “Some of it’s out of your control, some of it I’ve helped create.”
Certainly, the most flagrant among the latter issues came with the Predators in 2018. Watson would serve an 18-game NHL suspension for domestic abuse. He pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor domestic assault charge for an incident involving his girlfriend Jennifer Guardino.
His sentence included three months probation, an inpatient program for alcohol and substance abuse and 26 weeks of batterer intervention.
Guardino would later issue a statement claiming that Watson had never abused her. She blamed her own problems with alcohol addiction for leading to the incident.
“I’ve learned throughout the years to just put your head down and go to work,” Watson said. “It’s not always easy.
“There’s some times where you can get a little frustrated, but right now it’s pretty cool feeling to be getting rewarded with being up here with these guys pushing for a playoff spot. So just happy.”
Red Wings Reward Watson
The recall isn’t the only reward Watson received from the Red Wings. Recently, he was signed to a one-year, two-way contract for next season. He earned a similar deal at training camp last fall. Watson was attending camp on a pro tryout.
He’s been enjoying a sensational season with the Griffins. The 32-year-old is second on the club in points (37) and third in goals (16). Watson garnered selection to the AHL All-Star Classic.
Austin Watson with one of the wildest redirected goals you’ll see 🫨 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/RQDgELAG8u
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) March 25, 2025
The 6-foot-4, 238-pounder is bringing some much-needed size and physical presence to the Detroit lineup.
“He’s brought our team some energy the past few games and to see him score is great,” Detroit winger Alex DeBrincat said.
