The Grand Rapids Press’s Steve Kaminski penned an article discussing Red Wings prospect Evgeny Svechnikov’s desire to rebound from an up-and-down 2019-2020 campaign marred by recovery from major knee surgery. This season, Svechnikov, a 2015 first-round pick, is focused on playing the best he can with the Grand Rapids Griffins, and coach Ben Simon is determined to help Svechnikov make the NHL at some point:
“Nothing has really changed,” Svechnikov said. “I’m focused on myself, what I can do first of all. There are things I can’t control and can’t get frustrated over. I just want to be myself every day. That’s who I am, working hard coming in and being professional and doing every single day right and focus on getting better. The time will come. I have to believe and keep grinding and focus on myself. That’s my mindset.”
Svechnikov is a 24-year old native of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Russia. Svechnikov has played in 20 games spread out over three seasons with the Red Wings, scoring twice and recording two assists. He missed the 2018-19 season after tearing an ACL in preseason.
“He has been through a lot,” Simon said. “Obviously, two years ago missing and entire season due to his knee injury and working his tail off to get back playing. This year, he is coming back to Grand Rapids after clearing waivers.
“Our job as a staff is to help him realize his dreams, if and when this opportunity is afforded to him that he goes up there and the next chance he gets he makes the most of it. But mentally, he is in a great spot, and physically, he looks great. He’s stronger than he’s ever been, and we are just looking forward to just getting him back into the games.”
