Red Wings prospect Carter Mazur dominating for Team USA

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. 

He would soon sign a three year entry level contract, and soon reported to the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins for the remainder of this season on an amateur tryout basis. In six games played with the Griffins, Mazur tallied three goals while adding another three assists. And now, he's representing the United States on the international stage in the ongoing World Championships overseas. 

Yesterday, he scored the game-winning goal for the Americans in what would be a 4-1 victory over Austria, and it's helping to grow his confidence. 

“By sticking with how I play I know I can get rewarded, especially in big moments, especially in this tournament where it is tough to score,” Mazur said soon afterward. 

“That’s when I started to take off in a way,” Mazur said. “And that’s when I kept going with and kept growing my game, just having the confidence that I know I can be a good player wherever I am playing. Sticking with how I play. That’s a big part of it.”

And his future head coach with the Red Wings in Derek Lalonde is getting a first class view of Mazur's talent, as he's currently serving as an assistant coach for Team USA.

“Great goal,” Lalonde said of Mazur's tally. “Been excited from what I’ve seen from Carter so far. Obviously a young player. One thing I really like about him is he is a straight line player. He plays through checks, plays through bodies, which is sometimes something you have to teach young kids when they come to our level.”

“He doesn’t look out of place in these situations because he plays through bodies and he plays on the inside,” Lalonde said. “That is a good sign for him.”