Detroit Red Wings goaltender makes unexpected career decision: Steve Yzerman's left with one option

The Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman made two additions to his goaltending unit over the offseason.

The main one, John Gibson, will fill a massive role for the Wings in the upcoming season, as he's expected to take on the number-one role next season.

The other acquisition, Michal Pradel, drafted 75th overall by the Wings at the 2025 NHL Draft, won't start his professional career this year.

Although most fans and analysts expected him to join the WHL after being selected 4th overall by the Regina Pats at the 2025 Import Draft, the goalie made another decision that caught most off guard.

Most players who have an opportunity to play in the CHL or the NCAA instead of the USHL take it. Even if that league is renowned to be a tough one for goaltenders, we often see players drafted in the NHL choose the NCAA, WHL, OHL, or QMJHL.

However, Pradel decided to remain in the USHL, with the Tri-City Storm.

This leaves Yzerman with one option, to be patient in his goaltenders development.

The Storm recently hired former Wings coach John Torchetti as head coach, which could be good news for Pradel. Torchetti knows what it takes for players to make it in the League.

Last season, the 18-year-old, 6-foot-5 goalie had a 2.41 GAA and a .899 SV% in 14 games with Tri-City. In the U-18 World Championship, he had a 2.46 GAA and a .914 SV% in seven games.

Pradel was also notably the runner-up for Slovakia's junior player of the year, finishing second to Dalibor Dvorsky, who took part in his first two NHL games last season with the St. Louis Blues, and had a 45-point season in the AHL.