The Red Wings drafted White Lake Township’s Austin Baker, a 6,’ 190-pound left wing, 203rd overall during last month’s NHL Draft. Baker may be a 7th round pick, but he’s delighted to have been drafted by the Red Wings as one of three National Team Development Program picks in 2024 (see: Max Plante and John Whipple).
This morning, Detroit Hockey Now’s Tim Robinson profiles Baker via a subscriber-only article:
“[Development camp]’s super cool,” Baker said. “I got the chance to skate with [Pavel Datsyuk] when I was younger at one of his camps. Seeing him out there now, I’m a little older, he was trying to teach me something out there, so that was pretty cool.”
He worked at the camp, of course, but admits to a little rubbernecking.
“I’m just kind of taking everything in right now,” he said during camp earlier this month. “Just learning from the older guys. (Niklas) Kronwall’s out there, too. Some cool guys walking around. Just kind of taking everything in.”
Baker played for the U.S. Team Development Program the past two years, and is a Michigan State commit. But he’s going to spend another year in the USHL this winter, playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede.
“I think Michigan State’s got a really great organization,” Baker said.”They’re gonna have a really good team next year. I think I’ve still got a lot more to prove in the USHL.”
Continued (paywall) with comments from Sioux Falls Stampede coach Ryan Cruthers…
