The Red Wings drafted 6’3,” 181-pound defenseman Jack Phelan 137th overall in this past June’s NHL Draft. Detroit Hockey Now’s Tim Robinson posted a profile of Phelan this morning, noting that Phelan will play for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede this upcoming season:
“The plan was always to play two years in the USHL,” Phelan says. “I’m sure there was an opportunity for me to go in this year (at Wisconsin). But when I committed to play for Wisconsin, I was always on a two-year plan. I think it would be good to go back and have a year of experience under my belt and, you know, grow as a player more.”
Red Wings director of amateur scouting and assistant general manager Kris Draper says adding strength will be a key part of Phelan’s development.
“For 17- and 18-year-olds, that’s a common theme for a lot of these guys,” he said. (Phelan’s) going to play another year of junior, going to school. It buys him time to do exactly what he needs to do and that’s to add strength.”
Phelan will be working to be more of an offensive presence at Sioux Falls this season after recording just one goal and four assists in 59 games last season.
“I want to get bigger, stronger, faster,” he said. “Guys get better and better every year. I’ve obviously got to be more offensive and find the holes to jump into and, um, you know, join the rush more and, uh, be a little more active at the blue line.”
