The weekend in Frisco, Texas, was all about grit, redemption, and the electric promise of young hockey talent as the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings prospects clashed in the 2025 NHL Prospect Games at the Comerica Center. After a humbling 6-2 defeat at the hands of Detroit on Saturday, the Stars prospects roared back on Sunday night, edging out the Red Wings 6-5 in a thrilling contest that left fans buzzing and both organizations with plenty to ponder.
Saturday’s opener saw the Detroit Red Wings’ rookie squad flex their offensive muscle, decisively toppling the Dallas Stars prospects 6-2. The Red Wings’ future stars—Emmitt Finnie, Amadeus Lombardi, Alex Doucet, Shai Buium, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, and Axel Sandin-Pellikka—all found the back of the net. Notably, Brandsegg-Nygard and Sandin-Pellikka, both recent first-round picks, tallied crucial goals in the final period to put the game out of reach. The Red Wings’ dominance was a stark reminder of their rapidly improving prospect pool, a point not lost on observers around the league.
"Nothing really compares to playing an actual hockey game," said Nate Danielson, a former first-round pick, to NHL.com after Saturday’s showcase. His sentiment echoed throughout the Detroit camp, where the focus was on development, chemistry, and seizing the moment. The Wings’ convincing win was a warning shot to established teams like Dallas: Detroit’s rebuild is gathering steam and could soon reshape the competitive landscape of the NHL.
For the Stars, Saturday’s loss was a bitter pill. Physicality was present—a welcome change from recent seasons—but costly penalties allowed Detroit to capitalize on the power play, exposing a weakness that needed urgent attention. The Stars’ coaching staff set a clear target for Sunday: keep penalties to a minimum and attack the net with renewed ferocity. Emil Hemming, who showed flashes of speed and scoring potential in the opener, was singled out as a player to watch, with hopes he would ignite the offense and help Dallas split the series.
Sunday’s rematch delivered all the drama fans could hope for. The Stars wasted no time, grabbing the lead just 35 seconds in when Jaxon Fuder finished a 2-on-1 rush with a crisp wrist shot. Dallas doubled their advantage at 7:32 of the first, as Artem Shlaine converted a pass from Fuder in tight. But Detroit answered back—Shai Buium, on the power play, buried a wide-open chance at the back post, assisted by Carson Bantle and Amadeus Lombardi, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The first period ended with both teams knotted at 2-2, setting the tone for a back-and-forth battle. Detroit’s power play continued to shine, with Buium and Bantle each notching goals with the man advantage. Bantle, who split last season between Grand Rapids and the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, showed his knack for rebounds, banging in a loose puck from the edge of the crease. The Stars, however, refused to wilt, matching Detroit’s intensity and keeping the scoreline tight.
Liam Kilfoil, an 18-year-old invited to camp on a tryout, gave Detroit a 3-2 lead early in the second period with a slick backhand finish off the rush. Danielson extended the Wings’ lead to 4-2, slicing to the middle and wiring a wrist shot past the Stars’ goalie on yet another power play. But Dallas, learning from the previous night’s mistakes, kept pressing. The Stars’ offense began to click, and their physical play wore down Detroit’s top six forwards as the game wore on.
The third period was a rollercoaster. Ondrej Becher buried a one-timer from a Lombardi pass to put Detroit ahead 5-3, seemingly in control. But Dallas, showing the resilience their coaches demanded, stormed back with three unanswered goals in the final frame. Capitalizing on wide rush opportunities and exploiting Detroit’s fatigue, the Stars flipped the script and snatched a 6-5 victory to split the weekend series. The comeback was a testament to Dallas’ ability to adapt, stay disciplined, and seize momentum when it mattered most.
After the game, Dan Watson, head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins and bench boss for Detroit’s prospects, praised his squad’s effort and the learning experience. “I thought our guys competed really hard all the way through. They probably got a little bit tired, especially our top six forwards there. Shuffled some lines around later in the game to try to generate a little more offense, but overall pretty pleased with what I saw.”
Watson also reflected on the value of the prospect tournament, saying, “I think it’s a great opportunity for the young guys to gel. They’re draft picks, again I mentioned that we hope to see them play together whether it’s in Grand Rapids or Detroit. It’s an opportunity to know each other, learn about each other.”
Danielson, who scored in both games and was a steady presence throughout, noted the difference between the two contests: “We definitely played a lot better as a team (Saturday). The games were maybe kind of run around a little bit, and a little sloppy. I know there were a couple of plays I’d like back, but that’s kind of the way these games go.”
For the Stars, the bounce-back win was about more than just the scoreboard. They managed to limit their time in the penalty box compared to Saturday, attacked the net with purpose, and saw key prospects like Hemming and Fuder step up under pressure. The physical edge, missing in recent years, was evident and bodes well for the organization’s future depth.
Over the two games, Detroit’s prospects outscored Dallas 11-8, underscoring the offensive prowess brewing in their system. Shai Buium, preparing for his second season with the Griffins after a 29-point campaign, and Bantle, fresh off stints in the AHL and ECHL, were among the standout performers. Kilfoil’s strong showing on a tryout and Becher’s timely scoring added to the Red Wings’ optimism.
With training camp set to open on September 18, both organizations will take plenty from the Prospect Games. Detroit’s rebuild appears to be on a fast track, their young core gelling and gaining confidence. For Dallas, the split series proved their resilience and highlighted areas for growth as they look to maintain their status among the NHL’s elite.
As the dust settles in Frisco, one thing is clear: the future stars of the Red Wings and Stars are hungry, talented, and ready to make their mark. With both teams heading into training camp, fans can expect plenty more fireworks as these prospects continue their journeys toward NHL stardom.
