TRAVERSE CITY -- The newest veteran defenseman on the Detroit Red Wings may serve as a learning tool for one of their youngest prospects.
The Wings have high hopes for Dennis Cholowski, their first-round pick from 2016 who turned pro this past spring after one season at St. Cloud State.
He appeared, at times, last season to have taken a step back (he had one goal, 12 points and was minus-9 in 36 games) but has taken a big one forward – at least physically – since turning pro in the spring.
“He has made an overall commitment, to conditioning – not just conditioning but getting stronger, bigger,” director of player development Shawn Horcoff said Friday after the first day of development camp.