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#19 Justin Abdelkader
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Pos: Center/Left Wing
D.O.B.: 02/25/87
From: Muskegon, Michigan
Height: 6'2
Weight: 215
Shoots: Left
Drafted: 2nd Rnd 2005 draft by Detroit (NHL)
Acquired: Signed to ATO by Detroit 4/3/08 |
| Personal: |
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| Plus: Tremendous skater with great speed and balance... Good size and strength... Creative puckhandler with a touch around the net... Defensively aware... "Character" player... Physically mature... Knack for clutch goals... |
| Minus: Needs to mature and gain experience above NCAA level... Penalty prone... |
| Organizational Comments: "We love his intensity. One of the reasons we drafted him is because of the physical aspect he can bring. His offensive skills are starting to develop more. We projected him to be a three-year college player." Red Wings Asst. GM Jim Nill |
What GRC says: 2009-10: After spending most of the first half in the NHL, Justin returned from Detroit and immediately made the team better. His development at the NHL level was evident in his play as he was a dominant physical player in the AHL. Abby did it all for GR the second half, providing leadership, scoring, muscle, grit and swagger. He has nothing left to prove at this level and will be a full time NHL player next season.
2008-09: Abdelkader continued his rapid rise to the top of the heap with a physically dominant second half. His game continued to improve into the playoffs where he scored 6 goals in 6 games to lead the league through the first round. At times he was a physical force that controlled the pace of the game, and at others he was an offense presence, capable of being a game breaker. His off nights were far and few between and he became a leader on the ice, playing in all situations. The only notable dent in his game is that his intensity level sometimes leads to bad penalties. Abdelkader showed a glimpse of the future, scoring 2 goals in the Stanley Cup finals against the Pens.
Fall 2008: Justin signed with the Wings at the conclusion of his season at MSU. He found himself thrown into the NHL fire with a two game pro debut, and then got to ride along to the Stanley Cup championship. The Wings love his size and talent, but will give him some time in the minors to continue his development. He may see a few call-ups back to Detroit, but should become a big part of the Griffins identity this season.
Spring 2008: Abdelkader is a surprising blend of size, speed and talent. He made a name for himself at MSU and is expected to do the same as a pro. |
| Role: Two-Way Forward |
| Projection: NHL Third Liner |
| Statistics: |
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| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
| 2004-05 | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders | USHL | 60 | 27 | 25 | 52 | 86 | 20 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 3 |
| 2005-06 | Michigan State University | NCAA | 44 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 83 | 2 | | | | | | |
| 2006-07 | Michigan State University | NCAA | 38 | 15 | 18 | 33 | 91 | 6 | | | | | | |
| 2007-08 | Michigan State University | NCAA | 42 | 19 | 21 | 40 | 107 | | | | | | | |
| | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | | | | | | |
| 2008-09 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 76 | 24 | 28 | 52 | 102 | -2 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 23 | 2 |
| | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 2009-10 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 33 | 11 | 13 | 34 | 86 | 6 | | | | | | |
| | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 50 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 35 | -11 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 1 |
| | Griffins Totals | 109 | 35 | 41 | 86 | 188 | 4 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 23 | 2 |
| Transactions |
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| 4/3/08 | Signed ATO with Detroit (NHL) |
| 4/4/08 | Released from ATO |
| 4/4/08 | Signed 3 yr contract with Detroit (NHL) |
| 10/5/08 | Assigned by Detroit (NHL) |
| 1/30/09 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 2/3/09 | Assigned by Detroit (NHL) |
| 5/8/09 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 10/8/09 | Assigned by Detroit (NHL) |
| 10/9/09 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
| 1/29/10 | Assigned by Detroit (NHL) |
| 4/12/10 | Recalled by Detroit (NHL) |
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