NHL.com’s Nicholas J. Cotsonika posted a profile of Red Wings prospect and soon-to-be 2022 World Junior Championship participant Carter Mazur, who skated in the Americans’ WJC selection camp in Plymouth last week:
The moment came early last season. It helped Carter Mazur have a big freshman year at the University of Denver, and it says something about a 20-year-old forward who will play for the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton from Aug. 9-20 and could make an impact for the Detroit Red Wings someday.
“This is when you know the kid really cares and wants to be a player,” Red Wings assistant director of player development Dan Cleary said.
Mazur, whom Detroit selected in the third round (No. 70) of the 2021 NHL Draft, reached out to Cleary in maybe November. He was having trouble finding the net, so he asked for video samples that could help with scoring. The Red Wings sent him a five-minute video with clips illustrating how to find areas in the offensive zone and get his shot off quicker. After that, something clicked.
“He went on just an absolute tear, and he just felt so much more confident, and he just took off,” Cleary said.
Mazur ended up with 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 41 games for Denver, including two assists in a 5-1 win against Minnesota State in the NCAA title game April 9.
“It’s been pretty crazy,” Mazur said. “Winning the national championship is something I’ve always dreamed about, and to finally have it finally come true is just pretty surreal.”
Continued, and it’s a good read….
