In November, Alex DeBrincat shared his thoughts on getting snubbed from orientation camp in August. "I did talk to (USA Hockey general manager Bill) Guerin," he said at the time. "We talked through some things. I know he had some tough decisions there. It's fine. I mean, it's just the summer camp. I told him I was going to do everything I can at the beginning of the season to make that team."
Without a doubt, that snub gave him fuel, and DeBrincat has routinely looked like one of the best players on the Detroit Red Wings all season.