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Detroit Red Wings send player packing in move prior to face-off against Carolina Hurricanes
Heading back down to the Grand Rapids Griffins is forward Austin Watson, who scored twice during his call-up to the Red Wings.
The Detroit Red Wings are officially in desperation mode, currently 6 points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the 2nd and final Wild Card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and with the year rapidly coming to a close.
Before the Red Wings take on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at Little Caesars Arena, they announced a roster move.
Going back down to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins is forward Austin Watson, who had been re-called following the injury to Elmer Soderblom. Because he is being sent back down, it effectively means that Soderblom could be ready to return.
During his time up with the Red Wings, Watson scored one of the more unusual goals you'll see this year, deflecting a shot from Simon Edvinsson past Utah Hockey Club goaltender Karel Vejmelka late last month at Delta Center:
Additional information on Watson via the Red Wings official website's news release:
A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Watson played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires, Peterborough Petes and London Knights from 2008-12 prior to turning professional, winning OHL championships with Windsor in 2009 and London in 2012. During his major junior career, Watson collected 219 points (89-130-219) and 164 penalty minutes in 244 games, in addition to 22 points (12-10-22) and 27 penalty minutes in 43 postseason matchups. Watson captured a Memorial Cup title with Windsor in 2009, and later earned the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as OHL Playoff MVP with London in 2012. Watson also skated with the U.S. National Team Development Program in 2009-10, notching six points (4-2-6) and 33 penalty minutes in nine appearances. On the international stage, Watson served as an alternate captain with Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, collecting one assist and 27 penalty minutes in 10 games. He also competed at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, showing nine points (3-6-9) and a plus-six rating in six games. Watson earned a gold medal with Team USA at the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, logging three points (2-1-3), a plus-two rating and 33 penalty minutes in seven contests.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 4 | 149 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wings send player packing in move prior to face-off against Carolina Hurricanes Are the Red Wings making a mistake by sending down Auston Watson? | ||
| Yes | 102 | 68.5 % |
| No | 47 | 31.5 % |
| List of polls | ||