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#9 Evan McGrath Pos: Center/Right Wing D.O.B.: 01/14/86 From: Oakville, Ontario Height: 5' 11" Weight: 181 Shoots: Left Drafted: 4th Rnd, 2004 draft by Detroit Red Wings Acquired: Signed 3 yr contract with Detroit 5/31/06 Personal: Plus: Good Speed... Excellent Puck Handling Skills... Potential Game-Breaker... Defensively responsible... Will battle for possession... Quick, hard release... Good work ethic... Minus: Inconsistent... Not a Natural Goal Scorer... Needs to get stronger... Organizational Comments:"He's got to learn to compete a little harder, but he's got skills, hands, hockey sense and can think the game." Wings GM Ken Holland What GRC says: 2008-09: After re-inventing himself in the first half, McGrath continued to make progress towards being a consistently productive winger. Playing a gritty, aggressive game, he has turned into a two-way threat that battles for the puck and can take advantage of the turnovers he creates. Evan was really on a roll when a late shoulder injury derailed his season and caused him to miss the playoffs. It was no coincidence that the two Frankies struggled in his absence, something that should work to his advantage in securing a new contract with the Wings. 2007-08: Pressed in to service as a scoring forward due to injuries and recalls, McGrath finally started to put together his offensive game at the pro level. He was red hot in the closing stretch putting up 21 points in his last 27 games including a stretch with 10 goals in his last 17 games. With the increase in ice time Evan has started to find his confidence around the net and could turn into a dangerous two-way threat. If he can pick up where he left off next season, he could find himself back on the path to the NHL. 2006-07: McGrath had experienced a bit of culture shock at the pro level, getting off to a rough start. A stint in the ECHL appeared to help his confidence, and allow him to find a little bit more of his game. Evan still needs to work on his defense although he has taken some big steps since the beginning of the year. Always an offensive dynamo in the OHL, he also has to work on keeping his feet moving and trying to make things happen instead of standing around so much. Next season should be a bit smoother ride with a years experience under his belt. Fall 2006: A first rate offensive talent, McGrath is starting his pro career on the heels of two standout seasons in the OHL. Evan will have to get stronger and refine his defensive game to have the same impact in the AHL, but should be a fan favorite as he moves his way up the ladder. Role: Two-way Forward Projection: NHL third liner Statistics: Season Team Lge GP G A PTS PIM +/- GP G A PTS PIM +/- 2002-03 Kitchener Rangers OHL 64 16 31 47 40 2 21 6 2 8 6 2 2003-04 Kitchener Rangers OHL 68 15 36 51 28 4 5 2 1 3 2 -4 2004-05 Kitchener Rangers OHL 68 28 59 87 51 23 15 7 6 13 6 4 2005-06 Kitchener Rangers OHL 67 37 77 114 63 0 5 1 3 4 4 1 2006-07 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 59 6 8 14 41 -1 7 0 0 0 0 2 Toledo Storm ECHL 9 6 9 15 12 4 2007-08 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 78 18 17 35 26 -7 2008-09 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 68 17 30 47 24 12 Griffins Totals 205 41 55 96 91 4 7 0 0 0 0 2 Transactions 5/31/06 Signed 3 yr contract with Detroit (NHL) 9/26/06 Assigned by Detroit (NHL) 11/17/06 Recalled by Detroit (NHL) 11/18/06 Assigned by Detroit (NHL) 1/17/07 Assigned to Toledo (ECHL) 1/26/07 Recalled from Toledo (ECHL) 1/27/07 Assigned to Toledo (ECHL) 2/9/07 Recalled from Toledo (ECHL) 9/1/07 Recalled by Detroit (NHL) for training camp 9/29/07 Assigned by Detroit (NHL) 9/13/08 Recalled by Detroit (NHL) for training camp 10/3/08 Assigned by Detroit (NHL) 7/23/09 Signed 1 yr contract with Detroit (NHL) 9/13/09 Recalled by Detroit (NHL) for training camp 9/25/09 Assigned by Detroit (NHL)