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#8 Willie Coetzee Pos: Right Wing D.O.B.: 11/7/90 From: Johannesburg, South Africa Height: 5'10 Weight: 183 Shoots: Right Drafted: Undrafted Acquired: Signed by Detroit (NHL) 9/18/09 Personal: Plus: Competitive player with good skills... Plays bigger than his size... Great work ethic... Sees the ice well... Minus: Undersized... Offensive game has not matured, may not translate to the next level... Organizational Comments: "Willie has worked exceptionally hard. When he came to training camp this year, he looked like a totally different guy. He's stronger, faster, more confident and much more prepared - and it's shown on the ice."Griffins Coach Curt Fraser What GRC says: 2012-13: Coetzee was one of the last cuts out of training camp and spent all but one game in Toledo (ECHL). An ECHL all-star, Coetzee scored over a point per game and was the teams leading scorer by a wide margin. This could be Coetzee's last chance in the organization, and he needs win a job out of camp and show that he can score in the AHL. 2011-12: At the halfway point Coetzee looked to be on the verge of a 20-goal breakout season. The wheels fell off in the second half as he recorded just 2 goals and bounced around until losing his spot in the lineup and even being left off the clear day roster. The speedy sniper has got his work cut out for him to earn a spot in the AHL next season and play for a new contract with Detroit. He needs to add some grit to his game and pay the price to get into scoring areas where his quick release and accurate shot would be put to better use. 2010-11: Didn't show much in very limited action the second half before being assigned to Toledo (ECHL). Much like Mursak a few years ago, Coetzee should benefit from his trial by fire and make more of an impact next season. 2009-10: After an MVP worthy season of junior, Willie got his feet wet with a couple of games at the end, showing he can generate offense with four shots on goal in that span. He has put himself in a good position to make this team next season with a strong camp and needs to add some strength to his frame. Fall 2009: Coetzee, a teammate of the Wings first pick in 2009 Landon Ferraro, was invited to camp as a tryout. The 18 yr old didn't disappoint and bucked the odds to earn a three-year entry level contract with Detroit. He still has a couple more years of junior left before trying his luck at the pro level. Role: Two-way forward Projection: NHL 2nd or 3rd liner Statistics: Transactions 9/18/09 Signed to 3-yr contract by Detroit (NHL) 3/30/10 Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) 4/12/10 Assigned to Red Deer (WHL) 9/29/10 Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) 10/1/10 Recalled by Detroit (NHL) 10/3/10 Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) 12/2/10 Assigned to Toledo (ECHL) 12/6/10 Recalled by Grand Rapids (AHL) 1/28/11 Assigned to Toledo (ECHL) 4/4/11 Recalled by Grand Rapids (AHL) 9/8/11 Attended Red Wings Training Camp 9/27/11 Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) 9/14/12 Assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) 10/9/12 Assigned to Toledo (ECHL)