Meet the Red Wings' 2015 NHL draft class

The Detroit Red Wings left the 2015 NHL draft with six players — three forwards, two defensemen who shoot right, and a goaltender. They drafted from Russia, Finland, Canada and the U.S. Free Press sports writer Helene St. James has the lowdown on each selection:

F Evgeny Svechnikov

Selected: 1st round (19th overall).

Vitals: 6-feet-2, 199 pounds.

Age: 18.

Nationality: Russian.

Last season: 32 g, 46 a, 55 gp for Cape Breton (QMJHL).

Overview: The Wings had to choose between him and 6-2 Swede Joel Eriksson Ek, and the fact they went with Svechnikov speaks to his talent. "Our guy said because the Swedish player taken after him, Detroit would have known him like a book," Chicago consultant Scotty Bowman said. "Our guy said it must have been a tough call."

Wings targeted right-handed defensemen on Day 2

D Vili Saarijarvi

Selected: 3rd round (73rd overall).

Vitals: 5-9, 161.

Nationality: Finnish.

Last season: 6 g, 17 a, 57 gp for Green Bay Gamblers USHL).

Overview: "He looks like a smart player," director of European scouting Hakan Andersson said. "They usually figure things out. He's a mobile player and smart. It'll be a little more physical in Finland, but he'll be fine."

G Joren Van Pottelberghe

Selected: 4th round (110th overall).

Vitals: 6-2, 201.

Nationality: Swiss.

Last season: 1.25 GAA in 15 gp Linkoping J20; Swiss national junior team.

Overview: "Moved to Sweden to play two years ago," Andersson said. "Has been very good there. Plays a lot, trains really hard. Goalie coaches in that club really like him. Gives everything he has every practice."

Full list of locals selected in 2015 NHL draft

F Chase Pearson

Selected: 5th round (140th overall).

Vitals: 6-2, 190.

Nationality: Canadian.

Last season: 12 g, 14 a, 57 gp, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL).

Overview: Good size, Wings like his upside. Is committed to Maine next season. Unusual for a Canadian to end up in the USHL, but Pearson was scouted and drafted by Youngstown assistant general manager Jason Koehler. Plans to split summer between Atlanta and Cornwall, Ont. Has trainer in both places.

D Patrick Holway

Selected: 6th round (170th overall).

Vitals: 6-4, 201.

Nationality: American.

Last season: 8 g, 17 a 28 gp, Boston Advantage (Tier 1 EHL U18).

Overview: "He's played at a lower level in midget out in Boston," director of amateur scouting Tyler Wright said. "He's committed to go to Maine, so he might be a little bit of time, but he's a big kid that can skate. He's got good hockey sense. He's kind of got the full package, he just hasn't played at a high level."

F Adam Marsh

Selected: 7th round (200th overall).

Vitals: 6-0, 161.

DOB: Aug. 22, 1997.

Nationality: American.

Last season: 24 g, 20 a, 60 gp, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL).

Overview: "This is a guy we thought would be gone," Wright said. "We actually talked about him in the sixth." Marsh said he's "more of a shooting left winger, pretty fast, really heavy shot. My D-zone is definitely something I have to work on."

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.