Redmond Makes NHL Debut

SUNRISE, FL -- Former Sioux Falls Stampede star defenseman Zach Redmond made his NHL debut Thursday night for the Winnipeg Jets against the Florida Panthers. He becomes the 17^th former Stampede player to skate in the NHL.

Redmond logged 20:13 of ice time and was a +1 as the Jets fell to the Panthers, 6-3. Redmond tallied three shots on goal and four penalty minutes on the night. The Jets fell to 3-2-1 on the young season and play at Tampa Bay Friday night.

Redmond was a key member for the Stampede’s Anderson Cup and Clark Cup championship teams. He played from 2005 to 2007 with the Herd, recording 50 points (12g, 38a) in 108 career games. Redmond served as captain of the 2006-07 Clark Cup championship team and led all USHL defensemen in playoff scoring with 10 points (3g, 7a) and a +5 rating in just eight postseason games. He also took home the USHL’s Curt Hammer Award which is given for perseverance and sportsmanship on and off the ice.

The Traverse City, Mich. native was a 7^th round draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2008 and spent four years playing collegiate hockey at Ferris State University where he also served as captain before joining the Thrashers/Jets organization.

After finishing his career at Ferris State he was assigned to the St. John’s IceCaps, the top affiliate of the Jets, last season.  In his first year in pro hockey he recorded 31 points (8g, 23a) and was a +9 in 72 games.  During the lockout this season, Redmond posted 17 points (8g, 9a) in 36 games for St. John’s and was named to the American Hockey League (AHL) All-Star Game. He made the Jets roster after the lockout ended in early January.

It could be a big weekend for Stampede alumni. Another former defenseman, Jamie Oleksiak, is expected to make his NHL debut with the Dallas Stars on Friday night.

Courtesy:  Jim Olander/Sioux Falls Stampede