NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman profiles Red Wings goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa this afternoon. Cossa doesn’t regret “turning pro” last season, despite the fact that he ended up in the ECHL instead of the AHL with Grand Rapids:
“I wanted to play at the highest level I could last year,” Cossa said. “I was happy that I made the transition to pro. The ‘Coast’ [ECHL] isn’t an easy league for goalies. Some games I was facing seven, eight breakaways a game. I think that’s definitely a mental part of the game. The Coast, it’s a tricky situation. The top two lines will have skill and there are some guys that can finish opportunities up there. So it was good for me.”
The No. 15 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft went 26-16-4 with a 2.56 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and four shutouts in 46 games. He was tied for second in the ECHL in shutouts, tied for third in wins and GAA, and tied for 10th in save percentage.
Red Wings head of goaltending scouting and development Phil Osaer spent time working with Cossa in Toledo, as did Detroit assistant director of player development Dan Cleary.
What stood out beyond the on-ice results was the mindset Cossa took with him to Toledo.
“Everything is about attitude,” Cleary said. “You choose your attitude and he chose a good one. We tell all our young kids, you choose your attitude and work ethic. We can only tell you and guide you so often, but when you look in the mirror or you lay your head on the pillow at night, it’s your thoughts and you know what work you put in, what you’ve done, what you’ve left on the table.
“Going down there, having a good attitude and playing well, he played really well. Got to see him play a lot and I know, just from even talking to him this year, he’s starting to become much more mature. I don’t want to say he’s reserved, because he’s a pretty outgoing type of personality as a kid. Guys really like him. And it’s great to see his progression, to be honest.”
