Back in 2022, the Detroit Red Wings used the 40th overall pick in the second round on a USHL breakout in Sioux City Musketeers winger Dylan James. The Calgary native would go on to spend the next four seasons at the NCAA level with the University of North Dakota.

James continually grew and developed from his freshman to senior year. He went from a 16-point player through 36 games as a freshman to a near point-per-game player, posting 32 points in 40 games as a senior this past season, before making the jump to the pros. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.

He made an immediate impact, scoring a pair of goals through his final two games of the season with Grand Rapids, a showing that impressed many. James played just one playoff game, but the skill was apparent, and it will be exciting to watch the development of the former top-40 pick continue.

Elite Prospects currently has James making the Griffins roster next season. However, if he can carry the level he showed in his brief pro sample into training camp and the preseason, playing like a near point-per-game player at the AHL level, the ceiling for James could potentially be a spot on the Red Wings roster.

While James has been one of the quieter prospects in Detroit's system in recent years, he may quickly become a bigger name in short order.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.