Detroit Red Wings Promote Rookie Center Nate Danielson
The Detroit Red Wings have made a significant move by bringing up rookie center Nate Danielson from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL). This announcement was made on Sunday.
Danielson’s Performance and Potential
Danielson, who was selected ninth overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, has shown promising abilities since returning from an injury that sidelined him during the preseason. Since his comeback on October 24, he has played four games with Grand Rapids, managing to score one goal and provide four assists, which amounts to five points alongside a plus-two rating and four penalty minutes.
Last year, Danielson had a notable first season with the Griffins, finishing with a total of 39 points, comprising 12 goals and 27 assists in 71 games. His performance positioned him among the team’s top performers, placing sixth in points, second in assists, and sixth in goals. Additionally, he contributed during the playoff stretch, scoring once and accumulating nine penalty minutes in three games.
For the 2024-25 AHL season, his statistics ranked him tied for ninth in assists, 14th in points, and he led the league in shorthanded assists—a testament to his offensive prowess on the ice.
Background and Training
Hailing from Red Deer, Alberta, Danielson’s journey began in the spring of 2024 when he made his professional debut with the Griffins. In his 75 regular-season games so far, he has not only showcased his scoring ability—totaling 44 points—but also maintained a solid plus-six rating while serving 37 penalty minutes.
During the preseason and training camp with the Red Wings, Danielson stood out, netting one goal and adding two assists across three exhibition games. Many analysts speculated he could earn a spot on the NHL roster because of his strong performance, especially alongside fellow rookies Emmitt Finnie, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, with whom he had offseason training and living arrangements.
Looking Ahead
Now, with his elevation to the NHL, Danielson is poised to potentially cement his role in Detroit’s roster as the team continues its rebuilding phase under the guidance of general manager Steve Yzerman.
