The Grand Rapids Griffins have signed the son of Detroit Red Wings Assistant GM, Kris Draper. This move adds a new dynamic to the Griffins' roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
The post Griffins Sign Son of Red Wings Assistant GM Draper appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORKNick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
When he was a wee lad, Kienan Draper could often be found scurrying around the Detroit Red Wings dressing room at Joe Louis Arena.
Draperās college hockey days ended when Michigan lost to Denver in the Frozen Four semifinals. His hockey career will continue in the pro ranks as part of the Red Wings organization. The Grand Rapids Griffins on Monday signed forward DraperĀ to an amateur tryout for the remainder of this season. The Griffins also inked Draper to a two-year AHL contract beginning with the 2026-27 season.
Draper, the son of former Red Wings Grind Line center and current Detroit assistant GM Kris Draper, recently wrapped up his senior season at the University of Michigan. He collected 18 points (5-13-18), and a plus-21 rating in 40 games. Throughout his four-year collegiate career as a Wolverine, the 24-year-old logged 40 points (17-23-40) and a plus-21 rating in 133 outings.
Kris Draper came to the Red Wings organization during the 1993-94 season, and he has been an ever-present. He played 1,137 games for the team from 1993-94 through 2010-11, winning the Stanley Cup in 1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, and 2007-08. Heās one of 11 players in franchise history to earn four Stanley Cup rings as a player. Draper won the Selke Trophy as the NHLās best defensive forward in 2003-04. He played for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Dad is excited by the thought of another family member joining the organization.
āItās definitely going to be special,ā Kris Draper said. āThereās no doubt about it. He grew up in Joe Louis Arena and played for Little Caesars AAA hockey his entire amateur career.
āHe skated at the Joe, he skated at Little Caesars Arena, he skated at Belfor. Iām proud of him, Iām proud of the work that he put in.ā
Kienan Draper was a two-time Big Ten champion at Michigan (2022-23, 2025-26) and reached the NCAA Frozen Four in three of his four campaigns. Draper was the 187th overall pick by the Red Wings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. With Little Caesars, Draper was a youth hockey teammate alongside current Griffins Carter Mazur and Jacob Truscott.
The post Griffins Sign Son of Red Wings Assistant GM Draper appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.
The Griffins signed Kienan Draper, the son of Red Wings Assistant GM Kris Draper.
Kienan Draper is a forward for the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Kienan Draper's signing adds depth and a familial connection to the Griffins' roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
Mike Trout's 446-foot HR joins him with Aaron Judge in Yankee Stadium lore.
Detroit Tigers projected to take a risk on a 6'3" prep bat in the MLB draft.
Arshdeep Singh makes history as the first PBKS bowler to reach 100 IPL wickets!
California's top high school football prospects are on the move this weekend.
Viktor Hovland shines with a 64 at RBC Heritage, Gotterup scores 70.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.