Lombardi Late Add to Red Wings’ Prospect Team

TRAVERSE CITY- Popular Red Wings center prospect Amadeus Lombardi is a late add to Detroit’s roster for the two-game NHL Prospect Series against the Dallas Stars starting today.

Game 1 is 6 p.m. today at the Centre ICE Arena. Game 2 is Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Lombardi, who played last season for the Grand Rapids Griffins, replaces Ondrej Becher, a Czech center who played for Prince George in the Western Hockey League last season. The Red Wings drafted Becher 80th three months ago.

“I had a conversation with (GM Steve) Yzerman,” Lombardi said. “He was kind of mentioning to me that they would kind of like to have me in the tournament and then a few minutes later, (Grand Rapids GM Shawn) Horcoff came down and said: ‘We have a couple injuries, we’d like you to go in.’ I think everything happens for a reason. This is a really good opportunity for me to kind of get my feet wet, get my feet under me before camp, play some games, hopefully help the team out.”

Lombardi centers the No. 2 line. Hunter Johannes is on his left side and Alexandre Doucet is on Lombardi’s right side.  Lombardi, 21, posted five goals and 26 points in his first professional season.

Danielson Will Play with MBN

Nate Danielson (ninth, 2023) will center the top line. Jakub Rychlovsky (Czech League leading goal scorer) is on the left side and Norwegian Michael Brandsegg-Nygard at right wing.  Emmitt Finnie (201st, 2023) will be the No. 3 center.

Two-time NCAA champion Shai Buium (36th, 2021) is the only Red Wings’ draft pick on their defense. The other five D men are free agent invitees.

Carter Gylander, the former Colgate, should start in goal. Sebastian Cossa, who will be the Griffins’ No. 1 goalie this season, isn’t on Detroit’s tournament roster.

The prospect tournament is an annual event before Red Wings’ training camp in Traverse City. Detroit’s full roster will be on the ice starting Thursday. Practices will be held daily through Sunday. Red Wings players, prospects and tryouts will be divided into teams that will practice and scrimmage.  The annual Red and White Game is Sunday.

This story is updated with a quote from Lombardi