Red Wings organization assigns forward to the ECHL's Walleye despite positive performance
The Detroit Red Wings organization has assigned a forward to the ECHL's Toledo Walleye despite positive performance.
Forward Chad Hillebrand was signed to a professional tryout by the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL just a few days ago.
He played three games for the Detroit Red Wings' AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
In that short period of time, he found a way to become a contributor. Hillebrand scored 3 points (1-2) in three games with the Griffins, becoming a point-per-game player.
And despite his best effort, the Red Wings organization has assigned him to the ECHL's Toledo Walleye. With his release to the ECHL, it looks as if a path to the NHL has just hit a major obstacle.
The Detroit Red Wings organization sends forward packing to the ECHL despite three-point performance in three games
The undrafted forward has played a majority of the season in the ECHL with the Toledo Walleye. He's scored 13 points (7-6) in 22 games with a plus-7 rating.
It's difficult to know what this accomplishes when he found himself in a good spot with the Griffins. He's helped them continue their historic season, which has put them in the history books of the AHL.
He has proven just as vital to the team as John Leonard has, who has hit a string of luck as a fill-in for the injured Patrick Kane.
Hillebrand is a second-year pro and scored his first goal as a Griffin during his two-point night against the Iowa Wild.
On December 21st, he collected his 2nd assist in the AHL, against the Cleveland Monsters. With his stint in the AHL, Hillebrand is 5th amongst all Walleye players in points, T4th in goals, and 4th in plus/minus rating.
Last campaign, the Park Ridge, Illinois, native had four points (2-2-4) and 34 penalty minutes in 21 games with the AHL's Colorado Eagles. Also in 2024-25, Hillebrand added four points (1-3-4) and four penalty minutes with the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies.
Before turning pro, he played four seasons with Western Michigan University from 2020 to 2024, scoring 52 points (17-35), 95 penalty minutes, and a plus-31 rating in 109 games.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 22 | 52 ANSWERS Red Wings organization assigns forward to the ECHL's Walleye despite positive performance Do you think forward Chad Hillebrand was wrongly assigned to the ECHL's Toledo Walleye by the Detroit Red Wings organization after his positive performance? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 53.8 % |
| No | 24 | 46.2 % |
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