Detroit City Wire

Alex DeBrincat, a forward for the Detroit Red Wings, marked his 600th NHL game during a match against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. Despite the team's loss, DeBrincat's milestone is significant as he becomes only the third player from the 2016 NHL Entry Draft class to reach this number of games, joining Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews.

Reflecting on his career, DeBrincat expressed gratitude for those who have supported him. "There’s a lot of people who have helped me along the way," he said. He credited his development to leaders in Chicago and coaches throughout his career, including Todd McLellan with whom he has further developed his game.

Since joining Detroit from Ottawa in July 2023, DeBrincat has been vital to the team. Last season, he played all 82 games and was third in goals, assists, and points for Detroit. This season, he leads in goals and ranks third in points.

DeBrincat attributes some of his success to "puck luck" and consistent play. "The forecheck has been good," he noted about improvements this year.

Standing at 5-foot-8 and weighing 180 pounds, DeBrincat is known for making challenging plays and generating offense by getting into tough areas on the ice. His style often frustrates opponents by forcing them to make quicker decisions with the puck.

Coach McLellan praised DeBrincat's influence on teammates due to his competitive nature despite his size. "It’s hard to stand there...and watch him go as hard as he goes," McLellan stated. He believes that DeBrincat's effort can motivate others on the team.

McLellan emphasized that maintaining such effort will be crucial for both DeBrincat and the Red Wings during their final stretch of games this season. "You could be up by four or down by four [goals], and he seems to be playing the same way every shift," McLellan observed. He added that while scoring is essential for DeBrincat's role, his defensive contributions are equally valuable: "A complete player right now."