Sebrango & McIsaac Among Next Crop Of Detroit-Hopfeul Defensemen

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich - The retooling of the Grand Rapids Griffins defense is underway.

With Dennis Cholowski lost in the Seattle Expansion Draft, Gustav Lindstrom and Moritz Seider graduating to full-time NHL duty in Detroit and the departures of last season's leading defenseman scorer in Joe Hicketts and veteran Dylan McIlrath, there are plenty of new faces as well as opportunities for the next crop of the organization's top prospects.

There has been a lot of anticipation coming into the 2021-22 season for Detroit Red Wings fans and players alike. After several seasons of limping through each game, the Red Wings organization is beginning to see their patience pay off.

With the Grand Rapids Griffins, fans are equally excited to welcome several new prospects into the fold. Among them, are two defensemen making their through the system in hopes of hitting the Detroit blue line in the near future. Donovan Sebrango and Jared McIsaac, have had two completely different paths but are now both working in tandem with the NHL

SEBRANGO LEAPFROGGING JUNIORS FOR PRO ROUTE

Donovan Sebrango, drafted in 2020 63rd overall, made his professional debut during the 2020-21 season with Grand Rapids. Originally scheduled to join the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL, he was re-assigned to the AHL due to shutdowns in lieu of the pandemic. The adjustment proved to work in Sebrango's favor - gaining him a rare opportunity to leap-frog over major junior development.

Tallying four points in his 30-game season, Sebrango grew in maturity and play-making alongside weathered veteran Dylan McIlrath and Griffins cornerstone, Brian Lashoff. Sebrango's tenacity was demonstrated early as he defied early concerns of exhaustion and questioned whether he could maintain throughout the season.

With Moritz Seider making an immediate start in Detroit, a vacancy was available in the Griffins lineup and was snapped up by the young defenseman. Though Sebrango is early on in development, his performance throughout 2020-21 was enough to earn him a place in Grand Rapids this season to fill that void.

Sebrango will need a few seasons to further grow and develop his on-ice play-making. His passing can be a bit rogue and he does lose focus at times in special team situations - but those are kinks that can be worked out. His work ethic and drive are excellent foundational pieces the Red Wings will look to continue to refine.

JARED MCISAAC BACK AND FINALLY HEALTHY

Jared McIsaac has battled within the QMJHL and AHL just to maintain a spot due to injuries. Even starting this season on time had question marks surrounding it after he sustained an injury during the prospects tournament in September. Taking a bad boarding hit from behind, McIsaac was removed by a stretcher and was not seen for the remainder of the tournament.

McIsaac is no stranger to injuries, having had two shoulder reconstructions in the last four seasons. Coming back from recovering and getting a healthy summer in, at last, he is primed and ready to make what could be his last stand to impress the Red Wings suits. Unlike Sebrango, McIsaac has time fighting against him as he makes his push towards the NHL. Though only drafted two seasons prior to Sebrango, two seasons in the organization is a lot of time for prospects to move their way through the system. Prospects without injuries. It could be a blessing or a curse depending on how he chooses to approach this season.

Now that he's back, McIsaac has made an impressive start in Grand Rapids - demanding attention regardless of the line he's on. He's off to a better start this season and ideally, will force his way to the top defensive pairing in the next few months. McIsaac's confidence and maturity are features that envelop his game and push him to the forefront among existing defensemen in Grand Rapids. Having an additional two seasons on his closest competition will ideally give him a leg up and keep him towards the top of Yzerman's list.

SEVEN 'DEFENSEMEN' SHARING THE ICE

Through the team's first four games, the Griffins have had seven defensemen in the lineup with veteran Luke Witkowski also seeing shifts up front as well.

The Grand Rapids Griffins are playing host to numerous prospects this season, but with the defense lacking consistency at both the AHL and NHL levels, any step in the right direction is an exciting one. With Donovan Sebrango, a fresh and young skater, and Jared McIsaac, mature and experienced, the Red Wings have two dynamically different options depending on their team's future.

As the rebuild continues to plug on forward, securing the blueline will be among the top priorities. The competition will increase as the seasons and drafts continue, but there is finally a glimpse of some solid changes. Both Sebrango and McIsaac will remain in Grand Rapids this season but come the 2022-23 season, it could anyone's game.

Edited by Tony Androckitis