Forward Has Skated in 477 NHL Games with Arizona and Detroit Since 2016-17

The Detroit Red Wings today re-signed right wing Christian Fischer to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $1.125 million.

Fischer, 27, skated in 79 games with the Red Wings during the 2023-24 campaign, recording 19 points (5-14-19) and 36 penalty minutes. The 6-foot, 208-pound forward spent the 2022-23 season with the Arizona Coyotes, logging 27 points (13-14-27) and 20 penalty minutes in 80 games. In 2022-23, Fischer tallied his most points in a single season since achieving career highs in goals (15), assists (18) and points (33) as a rookie in 2017-18. Originally selected by Arizona in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Fischer has accumulated 130 points (61-69-130) and 133 penalty minutes in 477 games with the Coyotes and Red Wings since 2016-17. Additionally, Fischer registered 50 points (22-28-50) and 28 penalty minutes in 63 American Hockey League games with the Springfield Falcons and Tucson Roadrunners from 2015-17, competing at the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic.

Prior to turning professional, Fischer played the 2015-16 season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires, racking up 90 points (40-50-90), a plus-35 rating and 34 penalty minutes in 66 games, in addition to three points (1-2-3) in five postseason contests. The Chicago native skated with the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2013-15, scoring 106 points (50-56-106) and 45 penalty minutes in 120 games. On the international stage, Fischer won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2015 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, collecting eight points (1-7-8) and a plus-two rating in seven games. He also earned a gold medal at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, notching six points (2-4-6) in six appearances.

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Blueliner Has Recorded 222 Points in 455 NHL Games Since 2015-16

The Detroit Red Wings today signed defenseman Erik Gustafsson to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2 million.

Gustafsson, 32, spent the 2023-24 season with the New York Rangers, logging 31 points (6-25-31), a plus-three rating and 35 penalty minutes in 76 regular-season games. The 6-foot-1, 189-pound defenseman also recorded three assists and eight penalty minutes in 16 postseason contests, helping the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three years. Gustafsson split the 2022-23 season between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs, tallying 38 points (7-31-38), a plus-nine rating and 21 penalty minutes in 61 games with the Capitals before adding four assists in nine regular-season appearances with the Maple Leafs. Originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fourth round (93rd overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Gustafsson has registered 222 points (45-177-222) and 143 penalty minutes in 455 games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Montréal Canadiens, Capitals, Maple Leafs and Rangers, playing in the Stanley Cup Final with the Canadiens in 2021. He also notched 58 points (11-47-58) and 96 penalty minutes in 120 games with the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs from 2015-18, competing in the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic.

A native of Nynäshamn, Sweden, Gustafsson spent two seasons with Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League from 2013-15, collecting 49 points (6-43-49) and 38 penalty minutes in 105 games. He also played parts of two seasons with Djurgårdens IF from 2011-13, showing 30 points (10-20-30) and 68 penalty minutes in 90 games. Gustafsson developed in Djurgårdens IF’s system, accumulating 45 points (5-40-45) and 144 penalty minutes in 83 games with their under-20 squad, along with 30 points (9-21-30) and 76 penalty minutes in 60 games at the under-18 level. On the international stage, Gustafsson represented Sweden at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, finishing with seven assists, a plus-three rating and four penalty minutes in eight games. He also picked up four points (2-2-4), a plus-five rating and two penalty minutes in eight appearances at the 2019 IIHF World Championship. Gustafsson won a gold medal with Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, tallying one assist, a plus-three rating and two penalty minutes in six contests. Additionally, Gustafsson dished out two assists in eight games at the 2016 IIHF World Championship.

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Forward Won Back-to-Back Calder Cup Championships with AHL’s Hershey Bears in 2023 and 2024

The Detroit Red Wings today signed center Joe Snively to a one-year, two-way contract.

Snively, 28, skated in three games with the Washington Capitals during the 2023-24 season. The 5-foot-9, 176-pound forward spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign with the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears and ranked among the team leaders with 14 goals (6th), 45 assists (1st), 59 points (1st), two power play goals (T7th), 21 power play points (T1st) and one overtime goal (T2nd) in 69 games. Snively also tallied 18 points (4-14-18) and 26 penalty minutes in 20 postseason contests with the Bears, helping the club win their second straight Calder Cup championship. He split the 2022-23 season between Washington and Hershey, logging four points (2-2-4) in 11 games with the Capitals, in addition to 27 points (9-18-27) and six penalty minutes in 32 games with the Bears. Snively also earned a Calder Cup title with Hershey in 2023, recording 15 points (2-13-15) in 20 playoff matchups. Originally signed by Washington as an undrafted free agent on March 18, 2019, Snively has totaled 11 points (6-5-11), a plus-five rating and two penalty minutes in 27 games with the Capitals since 2021-22. He has also racked up 172 points (58-114-172), a plus-57 rating and 72 penalty minutes in 220 AHL games with the Bears.

Prior to turning professional, Snively played four seasons at Yale University from 2015-19, where he compiled 139 points (58-81-139), a plus-18 rating and 81 penalty minutes in 129 games. Snively garnered All-Ivy League First-Team honors as a junior and a senior, and was named ECAC Rookie of the Year after registering 28 points (10-18-28), a plus-five rating and 12 penalty minutes in 32 games as a freshman in 2015-16. Snively also spent three seasons with the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League from 2012-15, showing 125 points (50-75-125), a plus-14 rating and 81 penalty minutes in 159 games. The Herndon, Va., native won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge, finishing with three points (2-1-3) and six penalty minutes in four games. Snively also earned a silver medal at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, notching two points (1-1-2) in five appearances.

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St. Clair Native and University of Michigan Product Has Skated in 400 NHL Games Since 2016-17

The Detroit Red Wings today signed center Tyler Motte to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $800,000.

Motte, 29, spent the 2023-24 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, recording nine points (6-3-9) and 28 penalty minutes in 69 regular-season games. The 5-foot-10, 194-pound forward also netted one goal in five postseason games with the Lightning. Motte split the 2022-23 campaign between the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers, logging nine points (3-6-9) and four penalty minutes in 38 games with the Senators before adding 10 points (5-5-10) and two penalty minutes in 24 regular-season contests with the Rangers. Originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Motte has registered 90 points (49-41-90) and 110 penalty minutes in 400 games with the Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Rangers, Senators and Lightning since 2016-17. He also collected 32 points (21-11-32) and 49 penalty minutes in 67 American Hockey League games with the Rockford IceHogs, Cleveland Monsters and Utica Comets.

A native of St. Clair, Mich., Motte played three seasons at the University of Michigan from 2013-16, where he skated alongside Red Wings forwards J.T. Compher, Andrew Copp and Dylan Larkin. As a junior, Motte earned First Team All-American honors after racking up 56 points (32-24-56), a plus-28 rating and 36 penalty minutes in 38 games, helping the Wolverines earn a Big Ten Tournament championship. In total, Motte accumulated 105 points (50-55-105), a plus-38 rating and 72 penalty minutes in 107 games with the Wolverines. Motte also spent two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2011-13. On the international stage, Motte represented Team USA at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, notching three points (1-2-3) in 10 games. He also competed at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, picking up one assist in five appearances. Motte captured a silver medal at the 2013 World Under-18 Championship with seven points (5-2-7) in seven games, and also won silver at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

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The Detroit Red Wings are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Martin Nicholas (Marty) Pavelich, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 96 after a brief battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

“On behalf of the entire Red Wings organization I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the Pavelich family,” said Red Wings Governor and CEO, Chris Ilitch. “Marty was beloved by all those who knew him, including my parents, Mike and Marian Ilitch. He was an integral part of four Stanley Cup championship teams for the Red Wings in the 1950’s and one of the hardest working players of his generation.  He will be greatly missed.”

Regarded as one of the best defensive forwards of his generation, Pavelich spent his entire 10-year NHL career with the Red Wings, recording a total of 252 points (93-159-252) and 454 penalty minutes in 633 games from 1947-57. Pavelich was a four-time NHL All-Star and helped the Red Wings to their most successful decade in franchise history, winning four Stanley Cup championships in the 1950s (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955). The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, native reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his 10 seasons with the Red Wings, where he was often tasked with shadowing the NHL’s top scorers.

Fifth-Ranked International Skater Becomes First Norwegian-Born Player to be Selected in the First Round of an NHL Draft

The Detroit Red Wings today selected forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård in the first round (15th overall) of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft at Sphere in Las Vegas.

Brandsegg-Nygård spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with Mora IK in Sweden’s second-highest professional league, recording 18 points (8-10-18), a plus-three rating and 19 penalty minutes in 41 regular-season games. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound forward also collected 10 points (4-6-10) and eight penalty minutes in 12 postseason contests, helping Mora IK reach the Semifinals for the second consecutive season. Additionally, Brandsegg-Nygård logged 12 points (5-7-12), a plus-nine rating and 10 penalty minutes in seven games with Mora IK’s under-20 team in Sweden’s top junior league. A native of Oslo, Norway, Brandsegg-Nygård is the first Norwegian-born player to be selected in the first round of an NHL Entry Draft.

Brandsegg-Nygård debuted with Mora IK in 2022-23, logging three points (1-2-3), a plus-three rating and six penalty minutes in 11 games, along with 38 points (17-21-38) in 35 games at the under-20 level and 10 points (5-5-10) in four games with the under-18 squad. Prior to arriving in Sweden, Brandsegg-Nygård made his professional debut as a 16-year-old with Vålerenga in the EliteHockey Ligaen, skating in eight games in Norway’s top professional league during the 2021-22 campaign. He also collected 42 points (24-18-42) in 25 games with Vålerenga’s under-20 squad and 19 points (10-9-19) in seven games at the under-18 level in 2021-22. Brandsegg-Nygård paced Norway’s under-18 circuit with 16 goals in eight games in 2020-21.

On the international stage, Brandsegg-Nygård played for Norway at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, recording five points (3-2-5) in seven games en route to being named one of his country’s top three performers. He also represented Norway at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, logging five points (3-2-5) in five games. Brandsegg-Nygård won a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship Division I, collecting five points (2-3-5) in five games, and also captured a silver medal at the 2022 IIHF World Under-18 Championship Division I with four points (2-2-4) in five appearances.

Detroit currently has seven selections for the second day of the 2024 Entry Draft: one in the second round (47th overall), one in the third round (80th), one in the fourth round (126th), one in the fifth round (144th), one in the sixth round (176th) and two in the seventh round (203rd and 208th).

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Detroit Trades Second-Round Pick in 2024 NHL Entry Draft and Defenseman Jake Walman to San Jose Sharks in Exchange for Future Considerations

The Detroit Red Wings today acquired the Tampa Bay Lightning’s second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and forward Jesse Kiiskinen from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Andrew Gibson. The Red Wings subsequently traded Tampa Bay’s second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and defenseman Jake Walman to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for future considerations.

Kiiskinen, 18, spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with the Lahti Pelicans in Finland’s highest professional league, recording 10 points (4-6-10) and eight penalty minutes in 38 regular-season games. The 6-foot-2, 197-pound forward played in six postseason contests with the Pelicans, helping the team reach the championship round for the second consecutive season. Additionally, Kiiskinen tallied one goal in six Champions Hockey League games with the Pelicans. He also spent time with the Pelicans’ under-20 squad in 2023-24, logging 21 points (14-7-21), a plus-13 rating and six penalty minutes in eight regular-season games, in addition to three assists in three playoff matchups in Finland’s top junior league.

Originally selected by Nashville in the third round (68th overall) of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Kiiskinen made his professional debut with the Pelicans in 2022-23, tallying one assist, a plus-two rating and two penalty minutes in seven games. He also skated in one game with Peliitat Heinola in Finland’s second-highest professional league during the 2022-23 campaign. Kiiskinen accumulated 43 points (20-23-43), a plus-12 rating and eight penalty minutes in 31 games with the Pelicans’ under-20 squad in 2022-23, along with two points (1-1-2) in one game at the under-18 level. In total, Kiiskinen has compiled 89 points (47-42-89) in 79 games with the Pelicans’ under-20 team, 38 points (19-19-38) in 31 games with the under-18 squad and 30 points (15-15-30) in 28 games at the under-16 level. On the international stage, the Hollola, Finland, native competed at the 2023 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, recording five points (3-2-5) in five games en route to being named one of his country’s top three performers. He also won a bronze medal at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, collecting four points (2-2-4) in five appearances.

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Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Scored 918 Points in 953 Games with Red Wings From 2001-16

Mike Gartner, Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee today announced that former Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk has been elected to Hockey Hall of Fame Honored Membership in the Player Category.

Datsyuk, who was elected in his first year of eligibility, played 14 seasons with the Red Wings from 2001-16 and ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders with 953 games played (T9th), 314 goals (8th), 604 assists (6th), 918 points (7th), a plus-249 rating (3rd), 97 power play goals (9th), 330 power play points (6th), eight overtime goals (5th), 51 game-winning goals (8th) and 2,244 shots (9th). The 45-year-old won or tied for Detroit’s scoring lead in six consecutive seasons (2003-04 to 2009-10), including back-to-back 97-point campaigns in 2007-08 and 2008-09. Datsyuk was honored as one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players as part of the league’s centennial celebration in 2017.

“I would like to congratulate Pavel on his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame,” said Red Wings Governor and CEO Christopher Ilitch. “Pavel was one of the most talented players in league history and had Red Wings fans around the world on the edge of their seats every time he touched the puck. Throughout his career, he was consistently recognized for his stellar defensive play, a testament to how great of an all-around talent he truly was. The ‘Magic Man’ created so many incredible memories for our fans and played an integral part in bringing two Stanley Cup championships to the city of Detroit. Congratulations again, Pavel, on this tremendous achievement.”

Datsyuk helped the Red Wings clinch 14 consecutive Stanley Cup playoff berths and ranks among the team’s all-time postseason leaders with 157 games played (8th), 42 goals (T8th), 71 assists (5th), 113 points (6th), a plus-34 rating (4th), 15 power play goals (T6th), 38 power play points (T7th), seven game-winning goals (T10th) and 424 shots (5th). He was a member of Detroit’s Stanley Cup-winning team as a rookie in 2002, collecting six points (3-3-6) in 21 postseason contests. Datsyuk also guided the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup championship in 2008, recording 23 points (10-13-23) in 22 playoff matchups, including a hat trick in Game 3 of the 2008 Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars.

Selected by the Red Wings in the sixth round (171st overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Datsyuk made his NHL debut in 2001-02 and played in the 2002 NHL YoungStars Game. He was named to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team in 2008-09 after recording 97 points (32-65-97), a plus-34 rating and 22 penalty minutes in 81 games. Datsyuk was selected to four NHL All-Star Games (2004, 2008, 2009, 2012), though he did not participate in the 2009 edition due to injury. Datsyuk was named the recipient of the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy four consecutive times from 2005-06 to 2008-09, presented annually “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.” He also earned the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward in three successive seasons from 2007-08 to 2009-10. Additionally, Datsyuk won the NHL Plus-Minus Award in 2007-08 after leading all skaters with a plus-41 rating.

“Congratulations to Pavel on this extremely well-deserved honor,” said Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman. “Pavel’s world-class skills made him one of the best one-on-one players of all time, but his high-end compete and work ethic separated him from his peers. He was a dynamic force who excelled at both ends of the ice and in all situations. He was an exceptional player and will rightfully take his place amongst the game’s greats in November.”

A native of Yekaterinburg, Russia, Datsyuk is also a member of the exclusive Triple Gold Club, winning a gold medal representing his country at the 2012 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden, before captaining the Olympic Athletes from Russia to a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Datsyuk also captured a silver medal at the 2010 IIHF World Championship and was named the tournament’s best forward after logging seven points (6-1-7) in six games. On the international stage, Datsyuk competed in five Winter Olympics (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018), seven IIHF World Championships (2001, 2003, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2018) and two World Cup of Hockey events (2004, 2016). Induction Weekend festivities will run from Friday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 10 culminating with the Induction Celebration on Monday, Nov. 11 in Toronto, Ont.

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Eight-Game Slate Features Home Games with Chicago, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Ottawa

The Detroit Red Wings today announced their 2024-25 preseason schedule.

The Red Wings will take to the ice for the first time in 2024-25 with a home-and-home set against the Chicago Blackhawks – traveling to Chicago on Wednesday, Sept. 25 for an 8:00 p.m. game before hosting the Blackhawks at Little Caesars Arena on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7:00 p.m. The Red Wings will host the Pittsburgh Penguins at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7:00 p.m. prior to road tilts against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, Sept. 30 at 7:00 p.m. and the Penguins on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 7:00 p.m.

The Red Wings will wrap-up the preseason with three games in three nights, including back-to-back home games against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 7:00 p.m. and the Ottawa Senators on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7:00 p.m. Detroit will conclude its eight-game preseason schedule with a road game in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Ticket on-sale information for the preseason and regular season will be announced at a later date.

The 2024-25 preseason schedule to date can be found above.