The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan posted a profile of Red Wings prospect and 2021 draft pick Carter Mazur, a native of Jackson, MI:
Draper knew what kind of player Mazur was [from coaching Mazur at Little Caesars Hockey], and noticed what the young player was accomplishing in the USHL. But seeing it confirmed by other Wings scouts gave Draper the reaffirmation to draft Mazur.
“The interesting thing for me was watching [the USHL’s] Tri-City [Storm] and seeing the improvement from Carter from last year to this year,” Draper said. “Our area scouts, the reports they were putting in about Carter, talking about the improvement, it was great to hear. We (drafted) Carter in a spot where he deserved it. As we were talking to our scouts, it was a pick we all wanted to make.”
For Draper personally, it was gratifying to see Mazur be drafted after watching the progress the young player made.
“He grew up playing Little Caesars all the way from 10 to U-16,” Draper said. “It’s been a lot of fun. I’m proud to watch Carter develop into the player he has. Last year he went into his first year in Tri-City and it’s a big jump. At the time he was maybe 5-9, 5-10. He’s grown two or three inches and he’s put on about 20 pounds. (But) he knows he needs to still get bigger and stronger.”
