First-round pick Sheahan joins fellow prospects at Red Wings rookie camp

DETROIT, Mich. – Riley Sheahan and the Detroit Red Wings opened up their annual Development Camp at Joe Louis Arena Thursday. The 21st pick in this year’s NHL Draft met some of his fellow Red Wings prospects and called his first time on the Joe Louis ice “unbelievable.”

Detroit drafted a forward in the first round for the first time since 1992. They had a first-round pick for just the fourth time in 10 years, and saw a lot in the highly touted Notre Dame center. The 19-year-old Sheahan had six goals and 17 points as a freshman last year, which led most draft experts to believe he would be a top-15 pick.

“I take pride in my size and I try to use it to the best of my ability,” said Sheahan of his power forward status. On draft day, he said he wished to emulate current Wings forward Johan Franzen. Until the time comes for Sheahan to suit up with “The Mule” and the rest of the Red Wings, he’ll continue his career in South Bend, where Detroit will own his rights for two seasons. After that point, he’ll look to sign his first professional contract with the team whose sweater he wore growing up.

“The first team I played for was the Red Wings,” Sheahan said of his first team as a child. “It is a little ironic.”