Skip to content

HOCKEY: Surrey’s big Michael Rasmussen picked by Detroit Red Wings in NHL Entry Draft

A ‘Get to know Michael’ post at NHL website reveals more about the six-foot-six centre
web1_Rasmussen1
Surrey native Michael Rasmussen in action with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans.

* This story has been edited

SURREY — Michael Rasmussen is hoping to fly with the Red Wings.

The Surrey teen was chosen ninth overall by Detroit in today’s 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Going in, Rasmussen was ranked fifth among North American skaters on the league’s 2017 Draft Prospect list,

The six-foot-six centre, who last season played with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, was on the radar of several NHL teams.

• READ MORE: Surrey’s Michael Rasmussen highly-rated in NHL draft rankings, from April 18, 2017.

Last season, Rasmussen led the Americans with 15 power-play goals in 2016-17, finishing the campaign with 32 goals and 23 assists, for 55 points in 50 games.

Before Rasmussen, New Jersey Devils selected Swiss player Nico Hischier with the first overall pick. Philadelphia Flyers picked fellow centre Nolan Patrick at #2, Dallas Stars went with D-man Miro Heiskanen with the third pick, Colorado Avalanche chose Cale Makar at #4 and Vancouver Canucks selected playmaking centre Elias Pettersson.

A “Get to know Michael” post at nhl.com reveals a bit more about Surrey’s Rasmussen.

For example, Rasmussen compares his style of play to Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov and former NHL forward Mats Sundin. He also lists Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews as his childhood hockey idol.

Here are Rasmussen’s responses on the website’s Q&A feature:

If I could “Carpool Karaoke” with any celebrity it would be: “Blake Lively”

TV show I recently binge-watched: “Suits”

The celebrity that always makes me laugh: “Jimmy Kimmel”

The app I spend too much time on: “Instagram”

At an all-you-can-eat buffet I go straight for the: “Meat”

The coolest person I’ve ever met: “J.J. Watt”

Athlete I admire most: “Jonathan Toews”

One thing people don’t usually know about me: “I’m ambidextrous”

If I could be any superhero I would be: “Batman”

I am inspired by: “My family”

I am afraid of: “Sharks”

I dream of: “Winning the Stanley Cup”

tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com



Tom Zillich

About the Author: Tom Zillich

I cover entertainment, sports and news stories for the Surrey Now-Leader, where I've worked for more than half of my 30-plus years in the newspaper business.
Read more