Red Wings prospect Kienan Draper has excelled with the NCAA's Michigan hockey team, scoring eight points in eight games since the start of 2024

The Draper name carries a lot of weight around Detroit, and it’s starting to carry some around Yost Ice Arena, too.

Since the calendar flipped to 2024, Red Wings forward prospect Kienan Draper — son of Detroit assistant general manager Kris Draper — has scored at a career-best pace. The 2020 seventh-rounder has eight points in eight games, including two goals. This season, he has 11 points in 24 games compared to a single goal in 23 games last year as a freshman. He’s also playing significantly more ice time this season, with Michigan coach Brandon Naurato estimating a three- to four-minute bump in Draper’s average ice time.

“I’m just really happy for Drapes,” Naurato said Tuesday. “Like, I’ve been in that spot as a player where you’re kind of fighting and it’s not consistent with the ice time or in and out like his first year.” 

Naurato elaborated that this hot streak from Draper is not because he has elevated his game to that of some elite playmaker, but rather that he is playing his style of hockey with confidence.

Draper isn’t a prospect revered for his scoring touch, although he put up 50 points in 53 regular season games in BCHL Chilliwack two seasons ago. Primarily, he is a tenacious forechecker who can stir up chaos and stick up for his teammates. In essence, he possesses many of the same tendencies and traits that made his father a beloved part of the Red Wings’ dynasty when he was a player.

Last year, though, Draper largely played a depth role for the Wolverines. He saw limited action, often as the 19th skater, in a role where he did little more than checking. While that fit into his abilities, it wasn’t the most rewarding usage, and he ended the season out of the lineup during Michigan’s run to the Frozen Four.

This year, however, Draper’s hard-nosed forechecking has led to goals. He scored a shorthanded goal against Michigan State three weeks ago, set up by Detroit native and Chicago prospect Frank Nazar III. Draper also navigated pressure situations against Ohio State over the weekend, finding the puck in chaos at the netfront and along the boards to notch a pair of assists. Compared to his freshman year, the game is slowing down.

“He’s got a swagger about him right now,” Michigan teammate Mark Estapa said Tuesday. The two played AAA for Little Caesars together growing up. “He’s playing great, keep doing what he’s doing. I mean, consistently since he’s come in, he’s always done the right things. He’s always one of the last ones in the gym, always working to get better.”

This surge in Draper’s offensive production comes at a much-needed time for the Wolverines. Jockeying for position inside a competitive Big Ten, Michigan will take on conference-leading Michigan State this weekend. That series includes the Duel in the D, Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena. Against a Spartans team featuring Wings prospects in goaltender Trey Augustine and forward Red Savage, Draper’s scoring boost deep in the lineup could be needed for the Wolverines to retain the Iron D Trophy for a sixth straight year.

Around the Prospect Pool

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Sebastian Cossa

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