This afternoon, Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen profiles Red Wings prospect (and Soo Greyhounds defenseman) Kevin Gibson, who was drafted 42nd overall by the team last month in Nashville:
At a time when the Red Wings are committed to getting bigger, stronger and harder to play against, drafting Gibson made too much sense [to pass him up].
“Big right-shot D man,” said Kris Draper who is an assistant general manager and director of amateur scouting. “He’s got good size. A puck-moving D. He’s got good hockey sense. Skates well, has a bit of an edge to his game.”
His shot from the point has plenty of sizzle.
The Red Wings liked the entire package, enough to view him as a second-round pick. The NHL’s Central Scouting had him ranked 31st among North American skaters. Craig Button slotted him 63rd. Red Line Report had him pegged at 73rd.
Gibson suffered a lower body injury that kept him out of lineup for several weeks, but he returned in time to make Canada’s U18 team for the World Championships.
“We were able to see him play obviously against some pretty high competition and in some pretty good situations,” Draper said.
