Red Wings Central
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JUSTIN ABDELKADER
Justin Abdelkader
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Vitals: 6'1'' / 209 lbs.
Birthdate: February 25, 1987
Hometown: Muskegon, Michigan
Acquired: Detroit's second choice (42nd overall) in the 2005 draft
CSS Ranking: 25th North American Skater (2005)
Contract: 2011
RWC Says: Two-way Forward

STORIES

AWARDS
  • 2003-04 Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association Mr. Hockey (Mona Shores High School)
  • 2004-05 United States Hockey League prospect/all-star game (Team USHL)
  • 2005-06 Central Collegiate Hockey Association all-rookie team (honorable mention)
  • 2006-07 NCAA Frozen Four most outstanding player
  • 2006-07 Big 10 all-academic team
  • 2007-08 Central Collegiate Hockey Association Best Defensive Forward
  • 2007-08 Central Collegiate Hockey Association Humanitarian of the Year
  • 2007-08 Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Conference honorable mention

HISTORY
2004-05:
  • Had strong regular season with Cedar Rapids, finishing tied for 16th in USHL scoring (60-27-25-52).
  • Production slowed in USHL post-season (11-0-4-4).
2005-06:
  • Invited to U.S. world junior team 43-man evaluation camp, but didn't make squad.
  • Had solid freshman year at Michigan State (44-10-12-22).
  • Earned regular shifts on top three lines and ice time on both special teams.
  • Helped Michigan State win Central Collegiate Hockey Association banner.
  • Fell just shy of advancing to Frozen Four, losing 5-4 to Maine in East Regional final.
2006-07:
  • Formed Michigan State's top line with Tim Kennedy and Tim Crowder (35-15-18-33).
  • Fired 103 shots on goal, accumulated 91 penalty minutes and finished with a plus-6 rating.
  • Won bronze with U.S. team at world junior championship in Sweden in January (7-0-2-2).
  • Helped Spartans to 15-10-3 Central Collegiate Hockey Association record.
  • Michigan State lost 5-1 to Michigan in Central Collegiate Hockey Association semifinals.
  • Won NCAA Midwest Regional final (2-1 win over Notre Dame) to advance to NCAA Frozen Four.
  • Named Frozen Four's most outstanding player as Michigan State wins NCAA title in April.
  • Scored winner with just 18.9 seconds to go in 3-1 win over Boston College for championship.
2007-08:
  • Posted career highs in goals (19), assists (21), points (40) and PIMs (107) as Michigan State junior.
  • Spartans missed CCHA tournament for first time in 17 years, and falling in NCAA West Regional final.
  • Made NHL debut with Red Wings before signing three-year entry-level contract the next day.
  • Played in two games, averaging 12:13 of ice time and registering six shots and five hits.
  • Stayed on as a Black Ace for the Red Wings' playoff run.

SCOUT COMMENTS
"There's more to him than points. That's not really his game. He's an intense guy on the puck and he bangs and crashes. He's a great puck-chaser." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (January 2006) ... "Abby was very good in both (NHL) games that he played (in 2007-08). He's confident. He has a big body. He plays hard and seems to be real intelligent with and without the puck. He's going to be a good NHL player. Whether he’s going to be a good NHL player tomorrow, I don’t know the answer to that question." — Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock (April 2008).

STRENGTHS
Good at just about everything, with no glaring weaknesses ... Natural skater with speed, quickness, agility and acceleration ... Responsible two-way player ... Smart in his own zone ... Plays a rugged, physical game ... Competitive, in-your-face puck-pursuer ... Isn't fazed in traffic ... Good on faceoffs ... Mature physically ... Solidly built ... Has a quick release on accurate shot ... Capable set-up man.

WEAKNESSES
Takes far too many minor penalties and needs to be smarter in the pros than he was in college ... Doesn't have game-breaking offensive skills ... Not flashy, projecting more as a third-line role player at the NHL level ... Sometimes tries to do too much offensively instead of sticking to his role as a grinder.

PROJECTION
Abdelkader put himself on the map when he was named most outstanding player at the NCAA Frozen Four tournament en route to a national championship in 2007. He showed good progress at Michigan State and looks like a lock to become third-line role player for the Red Wings in the future. He will battle for an NHL roster spot in 2008-09 but will likely spend the year in the AHL with Grand Rapids.

STATISTICS
  REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2004-05 Cedar Rapids USHL 60 27 25 52 86 11 0 4 4 8
2005-06 Michigan State NCAA 44 10 12 22 83 -- -- -- -- --
2006-07 Michigan State NCAA 38 15 18 33 91 -- -- -- -- --
  United States W-U20 7 0 2 2 10 -- -- -- -- --
2007-08 Michigan State NCAA 42 19 21 40 107 -- -- -- -- --
  Detroit NHL 2 0 0 0 2 -- -- -- -- --

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The next wave

RWC's top 10 prospects (end-of-season)
01 D Jonathan Ericsson » Grand Rapids (AHL)
02 F Darren Helm » Grand Rapids (AHL)
03 G Jimmy Howard » Grand Rapids (AHL)
04 D Jakub Kindl » Grand Rapids (AHL)
05 F Justin Abdelkader » Michigan St. (NCAA)
06 D Brendan Smith » Wisconsin (NCAA)
07 F Jan Mursak » Belleville (OHL)
08 F Cory Emmerton » Brampton (OHL)
09 F Dick Axelsson » Djurgardens (SWE)
10 D Kyle Quincey » Grand Rapids (AHL)
» COMPLETE RANKING »