The Detroit Red Wings typically select small, skilled players with their first pick in the entry draft, due to their low drafting position.

This year, they had the 21st selection in the first round, their second-highest pick in 19 years. It enabled the Red Wings to take a player with size and grit, as they chose Notre Dame center Riley Sheahan Friday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

“He’s a big, strong, power forward type of player,’’ Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said. “We took a big guy, finally. None of this, ‘He’s a little weak, but he’ll get stronger.’

“We’ll be patient, but he’s advanced physically, which is nice for a young player.’’

The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Sheahan had 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in 37 games as a freshman with the Fighting Irish in 2009-10. As the youngest player in the CCHA, some scouts attributed his modest offensive output to the tough adjustment he had to make competing against players who were, on average, several years older than him.

“I’m a big player and I like to use my size to my advantage,’’ Sheahan said. “I’m a pass first, shoot second kind of player. I like to make my teammates better. I can be responsible in my own end. I think I can be a leader in the dressing room and that I have the respect of my teammates.’’

Sheahan played on one of Notre Dame’s top two lines and played on the power play and killed penalties, due to the team’s rash of injuries. He was forced to play defense for a couple of games due to the injuries.

He is described as having great instincts and playmaking skills, as well as being competitive and strong on the puck. He needs to work on his skating.

“I don’t like to make comparisons with young players. It’s not really fair to them,’’ Nill said. “But he does remind me of (Detroit power forward) Johan Franzen. He’s got a big, thick body. He’s been a big scorer. That’s what we project him to be.’’

Sheahan was ranked 22nd among North American skaters in Central Scouting, down from his mid-term ranking of fifth. He was ranked 19th by The Hockey News.

Prior to joining Notre Dame, Sheahan played two seasons with the St. Catharines Falcons in the Ontario Hockey Association Golden Horseshoe League, recording 27 goals and 73 points in 40 games in 2008-2009.

“He was one of the few freshmen playing college hockey last year,’’ Nill said. “He was a big scorer in junior hockey where he came from. For a freshman in college hockey, he played very well.’’

A fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sheahan said of the Red Wings: “I’m going to one of the best teams in the NHL. I think about some of the great players they’ve had -- Steve Yzerman and Pavel Datsyuk -- and I’m really looking forward to it.’’

He likely will remain at Notre Dame for at least two more seasons.

“I like that they’re patient with their young players, that they give you a chance to develop,’’ Sheahan said.

This is the Red Wings’ highest pick since they selected defenseman Jakub Kindl with the 19th selection in the 2005 draft, following the NHL lockout.

“There were about three or four guys we knew were kind of sitting there. You’re just waiting to see who else is going to make picks,’’ Nill said. “We got down to our last two guys and one of those guys went just before us (Beau Bennett to Pittsburgh).’’

Detroit has a pick in each of the final six rounds, which are on Saturday.

Wings lukewarm on Russian defenseman

Russian defenseman Evgeny Ryasensky, a 23-year-old free agent playing in the KHL, was quoted in Soviet Sport as saying he intends to sign with the Red Wings and compete for a roster spot in training camp.

But Nill isn’t so sure that will happen.

“His agent contacted us, so he’s probably called every team,’’ Nill said. “He’s 23, so he’d still be on an entry-level deal which would pay him $60,000 in the minor leagues (Grand Rapids Griffins). If he doesn’t make your team, is he going to want to stay and play for that? That’s the risk you have to decide whether you want to take.’’