Red Wings prospect goaltender Rudy Guimond was headed back to the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats this summer, but he received an offer he could not refuse from NCAA Division 1 school Harvard this week, so he’s committed to playing for Harvard this upcoming season.
Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff discussed the 20-year-old’s decision today, and Duff added a very wise comment from Red Wings assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper regarding players who take the NCAA route:
Selected 169th overall by the Red Wings in the 2023 NHL entry draft, the Detroit brass are looking upon Guimond as a long-term project. They like the idea of him playing college hockey.
“Now I think with the CHL rule and NCAA, it opens things up to a longer runway and more of an opportunity that these young prospects can play,” Red Wings assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper said. “Whether it’s playing in the USHL or playing major junior. And still have the opportunity at 19 or 20 years old to go to school.
“It gives you a longer time and more of a development plan with these goalies.”
The Red Wings are pretty much flush with goaltenders in their developmental pipeline right now, so Guimond having the opportunity to not have to “turn pro” after this upcoming season definitely helps him take more of that “runway” to develop his game while earning a college education. For Guimond, going to college just makes more sense right now.
