Seider signs three-year, entry-level contract with Red Wings

Financial terms were not released.

The 18-year-old defenseman from Zell, Germany was the second European-based player to be taken in the first round behind Kaapo Kakko, a right wing from Finland who went No. 2 to the New York Rangers.

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"It was really surprising to me, and everyone in Germany was so happy and excited for me," Seider said at Detroit's development camp in June. "But now I'm here, and I don't have to look back at that. I can look forward at the rest of my career. It's going to be fun."

Seider (6-foot-4, 183 pounds) was the second defenseman selected behind Bowen Byram, who went No. 4 to the Colorado Avalanche.

"We think he has excellent hockey sense, obviously a big kid, 6-foot-[4], real good skater," said Steve Yzerman, who replaced Ken Holland as Detroit's general manager April 19.

Seider is the first Germany-born defenseman to be selected in the first round of an NHL Draft. He played in Germany's top professional league, where he faced older, more seasoned competition, and had six points (two goals, four assists) in 29 games for Mannheim.

Video: Red Wings draft D Moritz Seider No. 6

"He looks like a guy who can be a top-four [defenseman] and help you win hockey games," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "Does he become a top-pair D? We'll see. That all comes in time. To me, you need big, efficient smart defensemen and he's that."

Blashill coached the United States at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where Seider played for Germany and scored two goals in five games. The tournament provided Blashill a chance to watch him up close.

"What I liked is when he was under pressure he was able to make passes through people," Blashill said. "That is what the best defensemen do. They almost don't see the first forechecker; all they see is the options, and I thought he did a good job of that."

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