Detroit prospect Carter Mazur candidate for top award

The Detroit Red Wings selected Jackson, Mich. native 70th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He grew up watching the Red Wings and even penned an essay as a youngster in school stating that his life goal was to one day suit up in the NHL wearing the Winged Wheel. 

And he's working to make a name for himself right now while currently playing for the University of Denver Pioneers. Mazur is currently a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player. 

So far in 26 games played this season, Mazur has scored 17 goals with six assists along with a +13 plus/minus rating. 

Take a look below at the essay that he wrote as a kid: 

Mazur also played in his youth for the Little Caesars AAA hockey team, and also practiced at both Joe Louis Arena and the Belfor Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena, Detroit's practice rink. And needless to say, it was a great experience for him. 

"Having that history, meeting players every day and having coach Kris (Draper) be my mentor in a way while he's bringing in people like (Niklas) Kronwall to skate with us was something you really don't have an opportunity to do when you're younger," Mazur said about his experience with Little Caesars. "But we did here and that was pretty special."