While the Vancouver Canucks gave up an important two points against the Montréal Canadiens last night, the Abbotsford Canucks were celebrating more than just their impressive 6–2 victory against the Bakersfield Condors. The go-ahead goal was scored by none other than Linus Karlsson who, with his 19th goal of the season, breaks the franchise record for goals scored with 66 in his career with Abbotsford. 

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LINUS KARLSSON: ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS ALL TIME GOAL LEADER 🚨

With a goal in tonight’s game against the Bakersfield Condors, Linus Karlsson surpassed Sheldon Dries with the most goals in franchise history (66)!#ProudlyAbbotsford@TheAHLpic.twitter.com/662LzWR9p5

— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) March 12, 2025

Karlsson was acquired by Vancouver in 2019, when he was traded by the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward prospect Jonathan Dahlén. He played his first full season with Abbotsford in the 2022–23 season, putting up 24 goals and 25 assists in 72 games played. In his second season with Abbotsford, he put up a point-per-game pace over 60 matches and even made his NHL debut on November 16, 2023. 

We've got a first NHL goal 🗣️

Congrats, Linus Karlsson! pic.twitter.com/hsFnK3tBw6

— NHL (@NHL) January 30, 2025

This is not the only milestone Karlsson has reached this season. In Vancouver’s 3–1 win against the Nashville Predators on January 29, 2025, he scored his first NHL goal against Juuse Saros. Just like last night’s goal, his first NHL tally was ultimately the game-winner for his team. Along with his 19 goals on the season, he also has 13 assists in 27 games played. So far this season, he has played nine games with Vancouver. 

Right now, Karlsson is also Abbotsford’s franchise leader in points with 141 in 159 games played. Behind him are Arshdeep Bains (122), Sheldon Dries (118), Christian Wolanin (117), and John Stevens (112). Following him in the franchise goal record are Dries (65), Tristen Nielsen (47), Danila Klimovich (47), and Stevens (43). 

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The last time Petr Mrazek wore a Detroit Red Wings jersey to play in an NHL game was Feb. 18, 2018, when he made 31 saves on 34 shots in a 3–2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.  A day later, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for two draft picks.  The first time came five years before that: Feb. 7, 2013, when Mraek made 26 saves to beat the Blues 5–1 in his NHL debut. 

The next time Mrazek will wear the Winged Wheel and compete in net for Detroit is Wednesday evening against the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena.  Mrazek said Wednesday morning, it "feels great" to put the iconic Winged Wheel sweater back on, adding that because his "first steps in the NHL were here...it wasn't easy to leave this place."

Just one player remains from Mrazek's last game as a Red Wing the first time round: Dylan Larkin, who has since graduated from promising and productive 21-year-old to captain and franchise cornerstone at the age of 28.  

Unlike Larkin, the Red Wings as a collective haven't kicked on to brighter days since Mrazek's departure.  The trade was an unequivocal marker of rebuilding that has not yet yielded a return to the postseason.  The regime overseeing the rebuild has changed, and the lineup is much stronger than the one Mrazek left behind, but the payoff on years of accruing draft picks and prospects has not yet arrived.

Instead, Detroit enters Wednesday's game in desperate, if not dire, straits.  The Red Wings have lost six straight, the latest a 2–1 defeat in Ottawa Monday night, in which they outshot the Senators 49–23.  Controlling the run of play is cold comfort as the playoff cut line slips further into the distance, but at least the loss provided something positive to latch onto.

"I thought everything was really good," said defenseman Moritz Seider after Wednesday's morning skate.  "We didn't allow a five-on-five goal.  That's obviously something positive.  Even the game before, we limited the goals against...[Against Ottawa], we came out and played a really good road time...If you want to pick one thing [we did well], I think we stayed mentally dialed the whole game, even though things weren't always as pretty, and I think that's a good start."

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Detroit lost to the Sens without conceding at five-on-five because of two goals against from its struggling penalty kill.  Per Seider, the Red Wings' short-handed struggles have more to do with their own mistakes than the exploits of the opposing power play.

As for what Detroit is looking for while short-handed, Seider said, "If the pucks bouncing around the yellow [at the base of the boards], you want to pressure like every other team.  Other than that, we want to stay in our structure and just eliminate danger zones in front of our net.  I think usually we do a pretty job [of that].  It's just easy mistakes, usually in the end of a power play, that kind of kills us and takes the momentum away."

Red Wings Power Play No Longer Able to Cover for Struggling Penalty KillIn the nine games since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Detroit Red Wings penalty kill has given up six power play goals in 19 opportunities.  That success rate ( just 68.4%) while short-handed is a driving factor in the fact that Detroit has won just twice in those nine contests.

For a team that's lost six straight but still lingers on the outer reaches of the playoff race, the imperative of winning each night is obvious.  For the Red Wings against the Sabres Wednesday night, that imperative holds, with its own unique twist in the form of the upcoming schedule.

As NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika pointed out Wednesday morning on Twitter, Wednesday's game is the last game Detroit will play this season against a club currently sitting below it in the standings.  With veritable Cup contenders in Carolina, Vegas, and Washington next up in the league's toughest schedule to close the season, the Red Wings' need to take two points against the Sabres (last in the Eastern Conference) only grows.

The Red Wings will be rolling with the same lineup from Monday night in Ottawa as they look to force their way off the schneid, with Mrazek taking over the goaltending duties from Cam Talbot.

Red Wings back in the Stadium Series gear ahead of tonight’s game vs. BUF

Soderblom-Larkin-Raymond
DeBrincat-Kasper-Kane
Smith-Compher-Tarasenko
Motte-Rasmussen-Shine

Chiarot-Seider
Edvinsson-Johansson
Gustafsson-Holl
(Lagesson-Petry)

Looks like Mrazek in the starter’s net pic.twitter.com/tThcHoKaWl

— Sam Stockton (@_samstockton) March 12, 2025

It hasn't been an easy '24-25 season for Mrazek (an .890 save percentage and 3.46 goals against average in 33 games a Chicago Blackhawk).  Now, he's cast into a spot where the Red Wings need him to reward their bet on him for the end of this season and onto next in a hurry. 

Before the Ottawa game Monday, coach Todd McLellan rejected the notion of a "must-win" game on the grounds that any team approaches every game with that mindset.  However, with the losing streak ballooning and the strength of the forthcoming schedule, Wednesday night clearly represents a game where a strong performance won't be sufficient.  All that matters is the result.  And to get that result, McLellan and his team will be counting on Mrazek, in his return to Hockeytown, to set the tone from the net out.

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Article Written By Ella Tsotsos

It’s a long journey from backyard rink to the NHL, and going from Jr. A to major junior is a key step along the way

When a young player makes the jump from Ontario Jr. A to the OHL, it’s a big step. Players tend to call the OHL ‘The O Show’ because the OHL is the big show, the highest level of hockey for teenage players. For many players it will be the highest level of hockey they will ever play in their entire life. And of course, it’s the first big step before the NHL. 

Andre Mondoux, a 17-year-old defenseman from North Bay, Ont., made his OHL debut with the Kingston Frontenacs on Dec. 20, 2024, in a 4-1 win over the Peterborough Petes.

OHL Highlights: Peterborough Petes @ Kingston Frontenacs Dec. 20, 2024Kingston bounces back with a dominant 4-1 win over Peterborough. Vann Williamson (1G, 2A) and Cedrick Guindon (1G, 2A) led the charge, while Jacob Battaglia ...

Mondoux continues to adjust to his transition from the Ontario Jr. A League as he signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. He says the opportunity to play in the OHL is a result of his lifelong dedication and love for the game. 

“Since I was a kid it was always my dream,” Mondoux said. 

Growing up in North Bay, Mondoux’s ambition for hockey was fuelled by watching the OHL’s North Bay Battalions. Ever since he was a child, his love for hockey grew.

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Make no mistake, the OHL is the league where young hopeful players strive to be. For generations of players, the OHL has been a pipeline to the NHL. Mondoux’s skill has afforded him the opportunity to play at this high level, furthering his development and the potential to be scouted by NHL teams. 

“The transition was very smooth,” Mondoux said. “It’s a bit of a change of pace and size, but once I got comfortable with the speed, the size, just the skill level, everything went well,” Mondoux said.

Every day, players train on and off the ice in order to ensure their skills and development are of their highest caliber. Transitioning from Ontario Jr. A to the OHL is a higher skill performance and can be a difficult jump for many players.

Currently, Mondoux bounces back from the Pickering Panthers Jr. A team to the OHL’s Frontenacs. This is a developmental process as players often go back and forth between the leagues to continue refining their skills and gain increased roles in the OHL. This is to ensure their preparedness for playing at a higher level. 

The OHL not only provides players with equipment, a full support staff, and health and dental insurance, but also prioritizes their education by covering tuition, books and other expenses.

OHL scholarships can be used at any university or college, subject to certain requirements. Committed to developing well-rounded individuals, the league prepares its players for both academic success and potential careers in the NHL.

“It’s the major Canadian pipeline,” said Rob Pearson, a former OHL and NHL player, and the head coach for the Pickering Jr. A team. “I believe it's the one spot if you can go and you're drafted in the higher rounds to the OHL and you're gonna play and get lots of ice time. Every single game there are NHL scouts and they're looking for the next guy.”

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From a coaching perspective, Pearson noted that Mondoux’s confidence has soared since signing with Kingston. He believes Mondoux has shown remarkable growth from his time playing in the OHL and Jr. A.

“For me, (the OHL) had a great impact.” Pearson said. “I wanted to go there, I wanted to play the highest level I could and to me it was just a great spot to excel and get to that next level.” 

To be able to play in the NHL is the goal for every dedicated young hockey player. If you’re fortunate like Mondoux or Pearson, NHL scouts are in the stands looking for potential big-league players. 

“I’m just taking one step at a time right now, just hopefully being able to play full-time with Kingston next year,” Mondoux said. “For sure, being able to play in the NHL would be awesome and just being in the OHL is one step closer to the NHL, but still very far.” 

Mondoux has ambitious goals but is focused on a strategic, day-by-day approach to his development. Hockey is one of the most competitive sports, demanding relentless dedication from players striving to advance their careers.

The OHL remains a vital platform for growth, both on the ice and academically. For Mondoux, it’s the next step in a journey that began years ago.

“My dad built me an (outdoor rink) when I was younger, maybe three or four years old and I started skating,” Mondoux said. “From there, I just always started playing hockey and just fell in love with it.”

OHL Announces Hefty Suspensions For Brawl Between Peterborough and ErieEarlier today, the OHL announced suspensions for members of the Erie Otters and Peterborough Petes following Sunday's brawl.