Detroit City Wire

James van Riemsdyk, a veteran NHL forward with 16 seasons and more than 1,000 games played, is set to join the Detroit Red Wings for the 2025-26 season. The Red Wings signed van Riemsdyk, who turns 36 this year, to a one-year free-agent contract on July 2.

Van Riemsdyk discussed his approach in an introductory Zoom call with media on July 2. “Just being consistent day in and day out,” he said. “Worrying about the next day, I think that’s obviously the most important thing. You’re going to have these ups and downs, but I think the teams that find a way to have that consistent approach every day and give themselves the chance to win every night. All the little things like that start to add up over the course of an 82-game year, so I think having the experience of being through a bunch of different things over the course of my career, hopefully it can be a help.”

Last season with Columbus, van Riemsdyk appeared in 71 games for the Blue Jackets and registered 36 points.

He described how his game has changed over time: “Especially over the last few years, I think as you get older in your career, obviously you have your calling cards as a player,” van Riemsdyk said. “You have to find ways to be a bit more versatile, add value in different ways to a team and being able to contribute in different ways, so I think I’ve been able to add some different things to my game that can make me be able to play in different spots all over the lineup. Coming into camp, I’m sure that’s what we’ll try to figure out as a team – how the puzzle pieces start to fit together.”

Van Riemsdyk emphasized leadership and consistency as key qualities he brings both on and off ice. “It’s a full-time commitment,” he said about his leadership style. “Whether that’s your preparation, being ready to practice, being ready to play and being ready to recover to get ready for the next game. Just trying to do the right things like that every day. And just trying to bring positive energy to the group and on the bench. It can be a long year, lots of ups and downs, so I think you need to have some of that sounding board just to help things stay even keeled when maybe things aren’t going your way.”

His relationships with other players on Detroit's roster also influenced his decision. “[Kane] is one of my really good buddies and we’ve obviously been through this whole journey over the years together in a lot of ways,” van Riemsdyk said regarding Patrick Kane. He added about Justin Holl: “Yesterday, I was on the ice with Justin Holl right around the time when I was making my choice for what was going to happen… He was actually the first guy there to find out, so that was funny.”

Van Riemsdyk sees joining Detroit as an opportunity aligned with both his own goals and those of an Original Six franchise looking for postseason success.

“Going through the free agency process, when [the Red Wings] started showing some interest, it seemed like a good fit,” van Riemsdyk said. “Especially with the trajectory of where the team is trying to go and trying to make a push for the playoffs next year, so that was exciting for me. The history of it being an Original Six [team] was obviously super exciting too. I have a lot of familiarity with a lot of guys too, so that definitely checked a lot of boxes in that way.”