Essex native Puempel excited to join Wings

The Detroit Red Wings acquired Essex native Matt Puempel in one of two trades made by the team on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Puempel, who was a first-round draft pick by the Ottawa Senators in 2011, was acquired by the Red Wings for defenceman Ryan Sproul.

“I had no clue,” Puempel said. “It’s almost a dream to play for an organization like this so close to home.”

The six-foot-one, 205-pound Puempel has appeared in 79 NHL games and scored 10 goals, but was sent to Detroit’s farm team in Grand Rapids as the club attempts to make room for Andreas Athanasiou.

“You just want a chance, but I’m looking forward to getting on the ice in Grand Rapids and looking forward to meeting the guys,” Puempel said. “I’m not looking too far ahead. Everyone’s working towards the same goal (to play in the NHL), no matter what organization.”

The return of Athanasiou, who had been a holdout, also prompted Detroit’s trade of 2010 first-round pick Riley Sheahan and a fifthround pick in 2018 to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward Scott Wilson and a third-round pick in 2018.

Sheahan was making a reported $2.075 million, while Wilson, who was in the lineup Sunday against Vancouver, is earning a reported $625,000. The savings will allow the Red Wings to fit Athanasiou’s contract, a reported one-year deal worth $1.378 million, under the cap.

Puempel, who started this season in the American Hockey League with Hartford, is also hoping to get a shot at a roster spot with the Red Wings at some point this season.

“It’s a nice feeling when a team trades for you,” Puempel said.

“They said they were close to taking me in 2011. In fact, the Ottawa pick (at No. 24) was their pick. I was on their radar.”

Ottawa acquired the No. 24 pick, which the team used to take Puempel, from Detroit for two secondround picks at No. 35 (Tomas Jurco) and No. 48 (Xavier Ouellet).

“I grew up a (Toronto Maple) Leafs fan, but it was hard not to watch the Wings,” Puempel said. “They were winning a lot of Cups and being close to Joe (Louis Arena), I would go over for games.

“To be traded is one thing, but to be traded to Detroit hasn’t hit me.”