Detroit Red Wings‘ 5th year center Luke Glendening(41) gets rewarded with a brand new 4-year extension for recording a most career points last season, while he still has another year left on his current contract.
The somewhat small-ish forward connected for 8 goals, 13 assists and 21 points with a +4 rating and 41 penalty minutes.
2016/2017 was his 2nd full NHL campaign.
He scored a best 12 goals in 2015/2016 and in the previous year appeared in 56 big league games, leaving two seasons of minor league play in the rear view.
The 27-year old old will definitely need to continue putting up points but with his hard-hitting style game he’s likely preparing himself for the opportunity to excel on a whole other level.
Luke Glendening(41) Detroit Red Wings
2nd year right wing/center Luke Glendening(33) signed a one-year, two-way entry level deal with Detroit Red Wings just after free agency started.
The undrafted forward had an outstanding rookie season on an AHL contract with minor league affiliate Grand Rapid Griffins and then took it up another notch in the playoffs striking for 6 goals and 10 assists in 22 games on the way to the 2013 Calder Cup Championship.
It wasn’t exactly a breeze for the 24-year old forward though as he was reassigned to start 2012/2013 in the ECHL with Toledo Walleye, where he detonated the score sheet with 14 goals and 7 assists in 27 games before being recalled permanently a couple of months into the campaign.
His unrelenting work ethic continued to impress the parent club that was closely watching his early strides and inked him quickly before any other suitors could step in.
The 5’11” 195 lbs. sophomore skater earns his first NHL recall after a quick start with their farm club, putting up a pair of assists in the opening two contests.
He was captain of his college hockey squad at University Of Michigan and won an NCAA title two seasons ago. He also was chosen as the best defensive-minded forward, which is primarily his style but he’s quickly adding goal scorer to that depth chart.
Luke Glendening(33) Grand Rapids Griffins
Undrafted forward Luke Glendening(27) signed a minor league contract with Detroit Red Wings, meaning he will be playing with their AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, which just so happens to be where he was born 23-years ago.
He becomes the first player in team history to play for Grand Rapids and have grown up right down the street from where the team plays. No doubt he’ll be getting lots of home-cooked meals during his first pro season.
The 5’10” 185 lbs. wing signed an ato with Providence Bruins to finish up the regular season after completing his college career at University Of Michigan.
He was team captain for his last two seasons there.
He failed to register a point in 3 games played but never looked out of place in the limited ice time.