Dylan James Has Several Tools to Use

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Dylan James

To understand why Dylan James decided to stay at North Dakota rather than sign with the Detroit Red Wings, you really did have to be there.

“I committed (at North Dakota) when I was 16,” James said. “So that place is on my mind for the last eight years. You’d have to experience it to know exactly what I’m talking about. But it’s a very, very special place. And the town — 50,000 people. . . Half the town at your games every weekend. Yeah, it’s super special place and I’ll spend my summers there these upcoming summers.”

In theory, there was risk for the Red Wings because once a college player finishes his season he can become an unrestricted free agent if he is willing to stay unsigned until Aug. 15. Staying an extra year gave James more leverage. He didn’t need it.

Staying Four Years Paid Off

Staying the extra year turned out to be advantageous for both James and the Red Wings. He climbed another rung in his development in his final season. He scored a career-high 21 goals (up from 14 as a junior) and made himself into a more complete player. James (drafted 40th, 2022) posted 32 points and was plus-17 in 40 games.

The Calgary native has speed, defensive awareness and sneaky offensive skill.

“I think I excel in the penalty kill and just using my speed to close. . . that’s where the shorthanded goals come from. I feel like I kind of surprise some people sometimes because if you’re on the power play, (then you feel like) you should have more time. But I like to eliminate that and then be hard on the forecheck, banging bodies and not making it easy for their D.”

His six career shorthanded goals are the most by a North Dakota player in the last 20 years.