Red Wings Draft Russian C Evgeny Svechnikov In First Round
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
The Detroit Red Wings added some size to their squad on Friday, drafting 6-foot-2, 200 pound Russian center Evgeny Svechnikov with the 19th pick in the NHL Draft.
Svechnikov, 18, spent the last season playing for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, scoring 32 goals and 78 points in 55 games.
The left-handed Svechnikov is the highest-drafted Russian player the Red Wings have ever selected, and the highest since defenseman Max Kuznetsov was taken 26th in 1995.
The Red Wings also drafted defenseman Vili Saarijärvi in the 3rd round (73rd overall), goaltender Joren Van Pottelberghe in the 4th round (110th overall), center Chase Pearson in the 5th round (140th overall), defenseman Patrick Holway in the 6th round (170th overall) and left wing Adam Marsh in the 7th round (200th overall) on Saturday.