Notebook: Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa wins WHL Championship

Edmonton Oil Kings goalie Sebastian Cossa had a postseason to remember in 2021-22.

Cossa, the Detroit Red Wings' 15th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, finished the 2022 Western Hockey League Playoffs with a 16-3-0 record, 1.93 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage over a 19-game run to help the Oil Kings win the WHL Championship.
The Fort McMurray, Alberta native also posted a franchise-record five postseason shutouts.
"The faith we have in him, the belief we have in him - we know that he can make those big saves for us and those key timely saves," team captain Jake Neighbours said about Cossa on June 24. "He's done that all year long, all postseason long for us. He's obviously a tremendous goalie - he's one of the best in the country, if not the best."

After winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup, Cossa and the Oil Kings advanced to the 2022 Memorial Cup. The 19-year-old netminder made 31 saves in last Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Shawinigan Cataractes, followed by a 36-save performance in last Wednesday's 4-3 overtime win over the Saint John Sea Dogs.
Cossa had 32 saves in last Friday's 4-2 loss to the Hamilton Bulldogs, marking the end of a memorable campaign for the Oil Kings.
"It's a tough way to end the year," Cossa said in his end-of-season media session. "I think just take the celebration of winning the Western League into the summer and build on that."

When asked about his future, Cossa said planning next steps is his focus this summer.
"It's gonna be a quick summer, to say the least," he said. "I think I'm gonna start talking with Detroit, too, and get a plan figured out with them."

Red Wings prospect Soderblom wins EHC's Young Player of the Year

For the second straight year, a Red Wings prospect earned one of the European Hockey Clubs' most distinguished awards.
Elmer Soderblom, Detroit's 159th overall pick in 2019, was named the Young Player of the Year at the 2022 Fenix Outdoor European Hockey Awards Gala on June 15 in Prague, Czech Republic.
"It's a great honor to win this award with all the great players who have won it before and all the others who were nominated," Söderblom said to EHC.com. "It was great to play in front of the fans again this season after the pandemic, and I would like to thank them and also my teammates."
This past season, Soderblom recorded 21 goals and 12 assists in 52 games for Frolunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League.
He signed a three-year entry-level contract with Detroit on June 9.
"Frolunda has been huge for me and for my development," Soderblom said. "I think their program and the way they develop players is something special."

Red Wings prospect Simon Edvinsson was also one of the five nominees for this season's Young Player of the Year Award. After tallying 19 points in 44 games for Frolunda in 2021-22,
Edvinsson also signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Red Wings on April 24.
Last year, Moritz Seider - then with Rogle BK of the SHL - and Grand Rapids Griffins forward Jonatan Berggren - then with Skelleftea AIK - were finalists for the honor. Seider went on to win the award.

Red Wings set to host Hockeytown Draft Party on Thursday, July 7

The Red Wings are set to host the third annual Hockeytown Draft Party, presented by Bud Light, next Thursday, July 7, as the club welcomes the newest member into the organization with Detroit's first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
The free ticketed event is open to fans of all ages to watch the draft broadcast live on the outdoor Chevrolet Plaza video board outside Little Caesars Arena. Fans in attendance can win exciting prizes, including 2022-23 single-game tickets, autographed jerseys, merchandise and much more.
The event begins at 6 p.m., and the 2022 NHL Draft starts at 7 p.m. For more information about the Hockeytown Draft Party and to claim your free tickets, visit
DetroitRedWings.com/DraftParty.