Red Wings Draftee Scott Ready For Next Challenge

Fisher Scott grew up a Colorado Avalanche fan, which is not unusual for a Colorado native. 

“I’m still cheering for them, but the Red Wings are my team,” he says with a laugh.

All in all, a nice kick save for a defenseman.

Scott was  drafted in the seventh round (No. 208) in this year’s draft and will play at Colorado College this winter. 

Scott is happy to be playing closer to his hometown of Carbondale, Colorado.

Cloxer to home

‘It’s pretty nice being so close,” Scott said of Colorado Springs, which is about four hours from Carbondale.

“Their facilities are great,” he said. “Being a Colorado kid, it was pretty cool to be able to do this. It’s been a lot of fun.”

After a cup of coffee with the Fighting Saints in 2021-22, Scott became a regular the last two seasons and was an assistant captain last year. 

“He grew into a leadership role,” coach Evan Dixon said. ‘“He leads by doing things the right way and setting a good example.”

Scott improved his offensive game last year, with 33 points in 61 games after just 13 points in 59 games the year before. 

“He became more aware of opportunities on offense,” Dixon said. “He had a better understanding of when to push the puck up the ice.”

But Scott still sees himself primarily as a defensive defenseman. 

“I’m a guy you can trust in every situation,” Scott said. 

Scott went in the seventh round of the NHL Draft,  but lasted until the 15th round of the USHL draft a few years ago. 

“I wouldn’t call him a late bloomer,” Dixon said. “He might have been underrated at the time,”

That wasn’t the case as the NHL draft headed into the final stretch.

“Our US scout, at that round, was pounding the table, which you like,” Red Wings assistant general manager Kris Draper said. “As you kind of get into the later rounds, you love the fact that the area guys get excited about an opportunity to kind of get involved in the selection. That’s what happened with that one. We’re excited to add him as well.”

Ready For New Challenge

Scott participated in the Red Wings’ development camp at Little Caesars Arena last month. 

“It was cool to get introduced to the facilities, the coaching staff and a lot of the guys who were there,” Scott said. “It was fun to be in the city.”

Scott learned he was drafted by a text message while running errands.

“I had talked with the Red Wings before the draft and I knew there was a chance I would be going there,” he said. 

Scott already has a couple of connections to this area. Dixon, his USHL coach, has a home in South Lyon. Dubuque assistant Alex Kromm is the grandson of Bobby Kromm, who coached the Red Wings in the late 1970s.

One of his teammates at Colorado College will be Brady Cleveland, who was a second round pick  by the Red Wings in 2023. 

Scott plans to major in business while honing his hockey skills at Colorado College. 

“I wouldn’t say there’s any rush,” he said. “Whatever Detroit decides to do is totally fine with me.”