Detroit – In retrospect, everything turned out fine for defenseman Alex Cotton, the Red Wings’ fifth-round draft pick last month.
But make no mistake about it. Not getting drafted when he was eligible in June 2019, not hearing his name called through seven rounds, spurred Cotton on to a big 2019-20 season.
“Not getting picked just got me motivated to go this (past) year,” said Cotton during a Zoom call with media. “I’m happy with the way it worked out and where I am now.”
To hear his name finally called in the 2020 draft, even though it was virtually and not in an NHL arena, didn’t diminish Cotton’s moment one bit.