Red Wings expect defenseman de Haas to take next step

The Detroit Red Wings are hoping Clarkson defenseman James de Haas emerges as a dominant college hockey player as a junior.

De Haas (6-4, 212 pounds) received a lot of playing time over his first two seasons, chipping in 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points in 74 games with the Golden Knights.

The Wings selected de Haas in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft after he scored 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 45 games for the for the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He scored five goals and 19 assists for 24 points for the Penticton Vees in the British Columbia Hockey League before going to college.

"I think he played a really significant role as a freshman and a sophomore, definitely improved from Year 1 to Year 2," said Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin.

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De Haas participated in the Wings' development camp earlier this month in Traverse City and received a challenge in his exit interview.

"Our message to him was whether he attempts to play this year and then commences his pro career or plays his last two years of college, he needs to focus on being a dominant college player," Martin said. "He's had a decent two years. He needs to take that next step. With his size and ability to move the puck on the power play, he needs to show us that he can really be a dominant player at that level.

"I think he's grown in his confidence and is certainly willing to accept that challenge."

Martin said de Haas needs to improve on his urgency and battle level.

"At the college level, he certainly plays more of a two-way game," Martin said. "The next couple years will tell what his skill set will translate to at the pro level. Is he going to be a guy that can chip in some offense? Or is he going to be more of a third-pair defender? If that's the case, he's going to have to make use of his frame. You gotta have a niche to play at the next level."

Contact George Sipple: gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgesipple.