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By Sarah Lindenau - www.RedWingsCentral.com September 9, 2007 Evan McGrath is showing off a vastly improved game — he’s working hard, playing with intensity and even flashing some grit. The 6-foot, 195-pound center had a goal and an assist on Saturday night at the NHL prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich., leading Detroit Red Wings to a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s got a goal, two assists, a plus-1 rating and seven shots in two games at the tournament and is showing signs of putting a forgettable American Hockey League rookie campaign behind him. “Especially coming into this camp, all the coaches have really stressed that I keep my confidence up and have some fun out there,” the skilled playmaker said. “It’s been working for me so far.” “It was definitely a little bit of a frustrating year,” McGrath said. “I didn’t quite get the ice time that I was expecting coming into the season, but at the same time, it was a great learning experience.” McGrath also piled up 15 points in nine games during a brief stint with the East Coast Hockey League’s Toledo Storm. He said his time with Storm head coach Nick Vitucci was valuable. “He gave me every opportunity,” McGrath said. “He let me play the way I wanted to play. It was a good feeling going back to that again.” This year, McGrath is glad for a fresh start in Grand Rapids. “It looks like we’re going to have a great team this year and we have a great coach (in Mike Stothers),” McGrath said. “He expects a lot out of us, but I think we expect a lot from each other.” — The Wings played a sloppy first period, outshot 10-4, but free-agent tryout Pier-Olivier Pelletier performed well and kept them in it early. Detroit’s Jonathan Ericsson and Tampa Bay’s Daine Todd traded goals in the opening frame, while Jan Mursak and McGrath were credited with the go-ahead goals for the Wings in the second period. “Our first period was shaky,” Wings forward Darren Helm said. “We just kept getting shots on the net and getting pucks deep. We tried to keep it simple (and) I thought we came together in the second and third periods.” Igor Grigorenko found the scoresheet with three assists. — The Wings’ second goal was credited to Mursak, but in reality, it was Helm who took a cross-ice feed from Mursak and put the puck in the net. Grigorenko wasn’t even on the ice but collected a “phantom assist.” The line of Mursak, Helm and Johan Ryno — all in Red Wings Central’s top-10 prospect ranking — made a lot happen offensively. “Mursak and Ryno can definitely move the puck well and find open ice,” Helm said. “Mursak found me in that slot area and it paid off.” Ryno, who recorded an assist, had a team-leading five shots on goal and showed off the tools to be an offensive force. — Helm is entering his AHL rookie year after a banner season of junior hockey. Helm won gold with Canada at the world junior championship, then captured the Western Hockey League title with the Medicine Hat Tigers before helping the team to the Memorial Cup final. “My experience at both the world junior and Memorial Cup are going to help a lot,” the 6-foot, 182 speedster said. “Every night there was pressure and I just tried to play a simple game and not get caught up.” Helm’s size has long been a concern. There are questions surrounding his ability to adjust to bigger, stronger pro players. “I am going to have to be ready to battle,” he said. “Speed is the biggest asset to my game so I will use that against the bigger guys in the AHL.” — Grigorenko showed why the Red Wings’ brass believes he can play in Detroit this season. The 24-year-old’s skating — a big concern after a near-fatal car accident in 2003 — doesn’t turn any heads, but it also doesn’t look like it will prevent him from playing in the NHL. “His speed is very deceiving,” McGrath remarked. “He gets into the open spaces and sometimes you don’t need that blistering speed to be a great player in (the NHL). He’s got the skill (to play).” Added Helm: “He’s smart and can find the open ice. He’s got great hands and he’ll find the spot to go in. That’s the kind of player he is” — Ericsson, a force at the tournament so far, took two sticks to the face on Saturday. He had a large gash on his lip that required four stitches from the first incident, and a few shifts later, damaged the bridge of his nose. Ericsson’s nose was not broken and he did not lose any teeth. — Defenseman Chad Greenan and forward Scott Brannon, both free agents, were healthy scratches for the Wings. Victor Bartley and John Kurtz were inserted into the Wings’ lineup for their first action of the tourney. — Red Wings legend and current vice president Steve Yzerman attended the team’s practice on Saturday and made a point to say hello to a few prospects, including McGrath and Helm. “He was always my idol growing up,” McGrath said. “Seeing a guy like that put in as may years as he did and (accomplish) as much as he did, it really makes you push a little harder. Steve’s been a great person to me and a great player and just a great mentor.” Added Helm: “Every time I shake his hand, I am always nervous. He has such a huge influence on the hockey world and in the city of Detroit. To meet him and to know him is just such a huge honor for me.” Sarah Lindenau is a contributor to RedWingsCentral.com. RELATED LINKS: Plus-Minus | Boxscore | Photos | Team Stats |
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