Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff posted a profile of Red Wings prospect Cross Hanas, who played particularly well during the Red Wings’ 2023 Prospect Tournament:
Detroit Red Wings prospect Cross Hanas will be the first to tell you that he didn’t know what to expect from himself as he was taking the ice at the NHL rookie tournament in Traverse City.
“I think (in the first game) I did feel in the first period those little things on the mental side where you’re back in it,” Hanas admitted of his initial trepidation. “But once you get that first bump or maybe hit someone for the first time you just kind of realize, ‘Alright, everything’s good. We’re good. We’re ready to roll.’”
In early January of last season, his first as a pro, Hanas was injured in a game playing for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s top farm club. He underwent shoulder surgery. His season was done. In fact, he was only given medical clearance to return to game action the week prior to the rookie tournament.
The 21-year-old left-winger was enjoying a decent rookie pro campaign when he was suffering that injury. Hanas was good for 9-8-17 numbers through 30 games with the Griffins. And just like that, it was all over.
“The first couple of months were pretty tough for sure,” Hanas remembered. “The rehab is no joke. It’s a lot of work, a lot of time. Probably the biggest thing you gotta to is be patient, have a good work ethic. I know I can’t stand sitting out a game, so me having to sit and watch every game the rest of the season last year was real tough. But it makes you just want to keep working and get your rehab done as fast as possible.”
Continued; this is quite good, and Hanas is definitely an under-the-radar prospect.
