The Red Wings plucked defenseman Alex Cotton from the Lethbridge Hurricanes as a 19-year-old “overager” who blossomed after being passed over in last year’s draft. Cotton spoke with the Lethbridge Herald’s Dale Woodard about his draft experience:
Following a season in which the six-foot-two, 180-pound blue-liner from Langley, B.C. led all WHL defencemen with 20 goals and 67 points in 63 games, Cotton landed squarely on the Red Wings’ radar.
He learned the good news as he monitored the NHL draft online.
“I was just sitting on the couch with my family,” said Cotton. “I was the first one to notice. I was so relieved. All of my emotions came out at one time, it was just a surreal feeling.”
Though he was the first to notice his selection, Cotton quickly brought his family into the loop.
“They all freaked out just as much as I did,” he said. “Mom burst into tears like a mom should.”
