The Traverse City Record-Eagle’s James Cook wrote a perfect recap of today’s Red vs. White Game at Centre ICE Arena, and he also added to the story regarding one Adam Erne, something of a mystery to Red Wings fans as a summertime addition from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Erne, a 24-year-old winger, felt a little stagnant with the Bolts:
“There’s there’s not much room to move up there,” Erne said. “They have such a deep top six that no matter how well you do, there’s only so high you can move yourself up. So it’s an opportunity that I see available here and it’s exciting.”
So when Yzerman left the Lightning to return to Detroit, he traded a fourth-round pick for the 24-year-old left wing.
“I was with him in Tampa so he knows what I can bring to the table,” Erne said. “I’m just trying to play my game and work my way in the lineup.”
The 6-foot-1, 214-pound Erne is a two-way forward who can play physically and also help with scoring. He had seven goals and 20 points in 65 games with Tampa last season.
“I think he can bring a pretty good combination of physicality and skill,” Blashill said. “That’s a rare combination in the league. Not very many guys in the league are super physical and then still have the skills to play in the top nine. And I think he’s got that ability.”
