I had mentioned that Cape Breton Screaming Eagles forward Ivan Ivan will be attending the Red Wings’ prospect tournament as a free agent try-out way back on August 30th, and today, Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff has a bit more on the slight forward with the funny name:
“A lot of people are thinking my parents did it on purpose,” Ivan explained during an interview at the World Juniors. “My parents love me and they did it because they want me to be special. I didn’t want to be special because of my name more than my hockey skills.”
Evidently, hockey people have been of the opinion that on the ice, the 5-foot-11, 171-pound Ivan Ivan isn’t that special. He’s been passed over for selection in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 NHL entry drafts.
He’s been playing the past two seasons in the QMJHL with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Last season, Ivan led the Screaming Eagles with 31 goals and 65 assists. His 34 assists ended up earning him a share of the team lead in that department.
He’s slated to be returning to play for Cape Breton again as an overager during the 2022-23 season.
Continued; like I said, the name makes for a great story, but I want to see whether Ivan is a diamond in the rough who’s been waiting for his chance, or whether the name on his passport is what will stick about his game.
With the Wings’ forward corps at the prospect tournament very thin, Detroit will need all its try-outs to give their all if they are to win their three round robin games.
