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Rising Lashoff earns his keep
By Sarah Lindenau - RedWingsCentral.com / September 9, 2009A year has made a world of difference for Brian Lashoff.
The 19-year-old defenseman entered the Detroit Red Wings' training camp last September as an undrafted free agent after going unselected in the entry draft. Impressed with his steady defensive game, the Red Wings signed the 6-foot-3, 208-pound blue-liner to an entry-level contract shortly after camp.
"I got the call (from the Red Wings) a couple minutes after the draft ended to come to camp," Lashoff said. "I was excited for the opportunity to come and prove myself. Luckily for me I played well and got a contract out of it."
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| Brian Lashoff has skyrocketed up Red Wings Central's prospect chart to No. 13. |
Lashoff, who skyrocketed up Red Wings Central's prospect chart to 13th last season, has provided a steady game at the annual prospects tournament in Traverse City this week and has a goal and an assist through two games.
"I keep it simple," Lashoff said. "I try and make a good first pass and play steady in my own zone. I will jump up offensively when I need to, but I just want to be consistent defensively."
After a trade to the rebuilding Kingston Frontenacs midway through last season, Lashoff had a chance to work on all facets of his game as a top-pairing defenseman in the Ontario Hockey League. He finished with seven goals and 25 assists for 32 points in 60 games and will look to lead Kingston to more wins this season.
"I think we can bounce back this year and build on last season," Lashoff said. "I am going to try and lead my team by being the best player on the ice every shift and hopefully we can have a good year."
If his OHL season ends early, Lashoff may get another opportunity to play in the American Hockey League. He excelled in his brief stint with the Grand Rapids Griffins at the end of last season, recording two goals and eight assists in 14 games before the stint ended prematurely because of a concussion.
"It was definitely a good learning experience," Lashoff said. "When I came in coach (Curt) Fraser gave me a lot of confidence by playing me the amount that he did."
For now, Lashoff is focused on being prepared for the main camp on Sept. 13.
"If I get a pre-season game or two that will be good for my development," Lashoff said. "If not and they want to send me back to junior, I've got a good team there."
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The next wave
RWC's top 10 prospects (2009-10 preliminary)
| 01 | F | Tomas Tatar » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 02 | D | Jakub Kindl » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 03 | D | Brendan Smith » | Wisconsin (NCAA) |
| 04 | F | Gustav Nyquist » | Maine (NCAA) |
| 05 | F | Jan Mursak » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 06 | G | Thomas McCollum » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 07 | F | Joakim Andersson » | Frolunda (SEL) |
| 08 | F | Mattias Ritola » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 09 | F | Landon Ferraro » | Red Deer (WHL) |
| 10 | D | Brian Lashoff » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |