Emelin was one of the top prospects in the world last season, but he was also one of two Detroit Red Wing players to suffer a season-ending injury in the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens.
Now that the injury is back, Emelin says he has a new target on his back.
“I want to play in the NHL again, I want that shot,” he said.
“That’s my goal.
He added, “I think it’s good for me to be on a team that’s capable of playing for a Stanley Cup.” “
It’s a big thing for me, to be able to do what I did in the past and to be in the league again and not only play for my team, but to be back and be part of a playoff team.”
He added, “I think it’s good for me to be on a team that’s capable of playing for a Stanley Cup.”
Emelin, a 23-year-old forward who has three goals and five assists in 21 games, has been a regular for the Red Wings this season and has been on the roster since early December.
He is one of five Red Wings prospects to have played in at least 50 games this season, along with Henrik Zetterberg, Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist.
The Red Wings announced Thursday that Emelin has been assigned to Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League, which plays at Grand Rapids’ home opener against Grand Rapids this Saturday.
He will wear number 43.
The Red Wings are also expected to sign a free agent forward this summer.
