Evgeny Svechnikov was sent back to Grand Rapids with a message. Filmed Oct. 29, 2019 in Detroit. Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press
Evgeny Svechnikov had plans to celebrate his birthday with his mom and brother, and then realize a dream.
The Detroit Red Wings play at Carolina Friday, which would have afforded Svechnikov the chance to play against his brother, Andrei. The two talk twice a day, and are each other’s biggest supporters.
Svechnikov’s plans were put on ice, however, as the Wings re-assigned him to the Grand Rapids Griffins Tuesday evening.
“He needs to go down and play and have more than the seven-to-12 minutes that he’s getting up here,” coach Jeff Blashill said in explaining the decision.