Windsor Star

Almquist learns quickly

- BOB DUFF

Two games into his National Hockey League career, Adam Almquist has a goal to his credit, but he’ll have to wait to add a win to the resume.

Friday, the Detroit Red Wings assigned Almquist to the Grand Rapids Griffins, their American Hockey League farm club, and recalled defenceman Xavier Ouellet to take his place.

“We’re just making a change,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said, noting that he wasn’t pinning the blame for back- to- back losses since he was recalled on Almquist.

“I didn’ t think he was a problem. He’s a real good player with the puck and he’s a smart player without it. But he’s not a big guy, so you’ve got to be way better positional­ly than everyone else, because you’re not going to win any battles.

“You’ve got to learn how to box out early and deflect early so you don’t get into strength contests out there.”

Almquist, who made his NHL debut in Monday’s 4-2 loss to the Jets at Winnipeg, tallied his first career NHL goal in Thursday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars at Joe Louis Arena when he snapped a Henrik Zetterberg feed through the legs of Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen.

“I got a really, really good pass from Zetterberg and I walked into the slot and got it and shot it, and luckily it went in,” said Almquist, who wasn’t certain what the future held for his milestone puck.

“No idea. I’m probably just going to take it home and put it on some shelf or something.”

Though he was on his way back down to the minor leagues, Almquist sought to take positives from his first NHL experience.

“It’s always good to be around guys like that,” Almquist said. “I try to do the best with it and I try to watch and learn from those guys.

“You kind of watch how they do it every day, how they work hard every day and compete.

“That’s what I’ve got to do to play in the NHL.”

 ??  ?? Adam Almquist
Adam Almquist

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