Red Wings forward Luke Witkowski will be attending a hockey camp this week in Holland, MI, and Witkowski prefaced his visit by holding a chat with the Holland Sentinel’s Chris Zadorozny:
Looking back on his first season as a Detroit Red Wing, Luke Witkowski had a number of firsts.
The first night he put on a Red Wings jersey, his first game at Little Caesars Arena, his first fight at Little Caesars Arena and his first point and goal as a Red Wing.
It all happened in just 31 games for the Holland native in the 2017-18 season. He’ll be in Holland Monday-Wednesday at the Great Lakes Hockey Camp at Griff’s IceHouse West as a guest coach, alongside former teammate Jared Nightingale.
He has one year left on his contract with Detroit and is looking to make the most of it.
But before he looks ahead, he recounted his first season in the Winged Wheel.
“Obviously the season didn’t go the way anybody wanted it to. Like I said since I signed, it’s an honor to play for the Wings, getting that opportunity doesn’t come often so I’m glad I took it,” Witkowski said. “Last season was ups and downs, playing ‘D,’ playing forward, I never knew what position I was playing every night but I thought I handled it well and having teammates like that in the lineup so that helps a lot.”
Sorry Luke but your roster spot is required for a prospect, right Kenny??
He’ll have another first this season, first game in Grand Rapids
I agree that Luke is probably headed to Grand Rapids. His skill set is just too limited for the NHL, perhaps too limited for the AHL. He may be the best teammate there is, but he is just filling a roster spot that can go to someone who can do more with it.
Most teams have a player like this who at least platoons in the lineup.
The salary is fine.
I think if the Wings waive Witkowski, which they may need to do to give more skilled prospects a chance, other teams will notice and the Wings will go back to wishing they had someone on the bench who might give the other team at least something to think about, and perhaps give the younger, more finesse players a bit more self-assurance to play their games without being targeted every shift.
But when you can never have enough veterans as the GM is wont to think, something has to give somewhere.
I really like Luke’s game even though I know most likely he will not stick with the Wings. Plus, ever interview or story I have read about him, he seems down to earth, kind person.
The Wings will need someone like him to protect the skilled players, but since there is no room at the top for him, its down to GR or where ever.