Red Wings Central
Stories | Awards | History | Scout Comments | Strengths | Weaknesses | Projection | Statistics
NICK OSLUND
Nick Oslund
Position: Right wing
Shoots: Right
Vitals: 6'3'' / 195 lbs.
Birthdate: November 15, 1987
Hometown: Burnsville, Minnesota
Acquired: Detroit's sixth choice (191st overall) in the 2006 draft
CSS Ranking: 200th North American skater (2006)
Contract: None (must sign by Aug. 15, 2011)
RWC Says: Checking forward

STORIES

AWARDS
  • Minnesota Mr. Hockey award finalist (honoring state's best high school player)

HISTORY
2004-05:
  • Led Burnsville High School in scoring during Grade 11 year (27-29-18-47).
2005-06:
  • Had strong senior year for Burnsville High School (25-22-29-51), leading team in scoring.
  • Committed to NCAA St. Cloud State for 2007-08 season and beyond.
  • Chosen in the fourth round (47th overall) by Tri-City in United States Hockey League draft.
  • Chosen in the seventh round (191st overall) by Detroit at the 2006 NHL draft in Vancouver.
  • Became first U.S. high school player selected by the Red Wings in 13 years.
2006-07:
  • Relatively uneventful rookie year in the United States Hockey League with Tri-City (56-7-14-21).
  • Posted team-worst minus-6 rating and fired 104 shots on goal.
  • Tri-City went 36-18-6 for 78 points and lost in second round of playoffs.
2007-08:
  • Saw third- and fourth-line time as a freshman at St. Cloud State (38-4-1-5).

SCOUT COMMENTS
"He's got good size, he competes, he loves to hit, and he's a good skater for his size. He needs to work on his puck skills. He's one of those guys we're banking away for five years and we'll see how he develops." — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2006).

STRENGTHS
Swift-skating physical player ... Punishes opponents with hard hits ... Forechecks tenaciously and plays intense, aggressive game ... Strong along boards ... Wins battles ... Hard slap shot.

WEAKNESSES
Limited puck skills and hands ... Doesn't project as a scorer and lacks offensive upside ... Needs his offensive game to evolve over the next several years.

PROJECTION
The Red Wings have until 2011 to sign Oslund, and hope he'll evolve into a hard-hitting role player. He'll look to improve his offensive numbers as a freshman at St. Cloud State in 2008-09.

STATISTICS
  REGULAR SEASON PLAYOFFS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A PTS PIM GP G A PTS PIM
2004-05 Burnsville USHS 27 29 18 47 -- -- -- -- -- --
2005-06 Burnsville USHS 25 22 29 51 30 -- -- -- -- --
2006-07 Tri-City USHL 56 7 14 21 24 9 0 1 1 0
2007-08 St. Cloud NCAA 38 4 1 5 27 -- -- -- -- --

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