6 Hockey Players who Played for Avalanche and Red Wings
My guess is you’ve searched this page out because you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
If I’m right, that also means that today’s grid is asking for players who have played for both the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings.
And, I’m also guessing that you’re a little stuck on this particular square and you’re looking for a little help to keep your grid immaculate. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, I’m here to help.
I’ve already done the research and have put together a list of well-known stars along with some more “under-the-radar” players that could land you a low rarity score.
Darren Helm
Darren Helm was selected in the 5th round, 132nd overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2005 NHL Draft. Playing the majority of his career with the Red Wings, the Canadian center is known for his speed and defensive play.
Helm’s career highlights include winning the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in the 2007-2008 season. After 14 seasons in Detroit, Helm signed as a free agent with the Avalanche and won his second Stanley Cup with the team in 2022.
Over his 16-year career, Helm has played in more than 800 NHL games, accumulating over 250 points. His blend of speed, determination, and defensive awareness has made him a valuable asset and a consistent presence.
John Ogrodnick
John Ogrodnick was selected in the fourth round, 66th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.
Ogrodnick played 14 seasons in the NHL, primarily with the Detroit Red Wings but also spending time with the New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques. Over his career, he scored 402 goals and added 425 assists for a total of 827 points.
Ogrodnick was named to the NHL All-Star Game in the 1984-85 season and was well-respected for his goal-scoring ability, particularly during that season when he scored 55 goals for the Red Wings.
Ogrodnick Key Stats
- All-Star (Red Wings)
- 40+ Goal Season (Red Wings, Rangers)
- 50+ Assist Season (Red Wings, Rangers)
Patrik Nemith
Patrik Nemeth, a Swedish defenseman, was selected 41st overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He began his NHL journey with the Stars, debuting with their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. Nemeth made the Stars’ opening night roster for the 2014–15 season but suffered a significant injury early on, leading to a lengthy recovery period.
Nemeth’s career saw him move to various teams over the years. In the 2017–18 season, he was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Avalanche, where he had a breakout season, leading to a one-year contract extension. He later signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings in 2019, and was subsequently traded back to the Avalanche in 2021.
Nemeth then signed a three-year deal with the New York Rangers in 2021, and in 2022, he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes. After his tenth NHL season, Nemeth was placed on unconditional waivers by the Coyotes and bought out from his contract, leading him to return to Europe.
Vladislav Namestnikov
Vladislav Namestnikov is a Russian center currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets. He was drafted 27th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and has since played for several NHL teams, including the Lightning, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, and now the Jets.
Namestnikov’s NHL career began with the Lightning in the 2014-15 season, where he scored his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens. He recorded his first NHL hat-trick in 2016 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Throughout his career, he has been traded several times, including to the Rangers in 2018, the Senators in 2019, the Avalanche in 2020, and the Stars in 2022. He returned to the Lightning in 2022 before being traded to the Jets in 2023. His NHL career statistics include 630 games played, with 115 goals, 146 assists, and a total of 261 points.
Tomas Tatar
Tomas Tatar, a Slovak left winger, currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. He was drafted 60th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Tatar began his North American career with the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, and made his NHL debut in December 2010.
Tatar’s NHL career includes stints with several teams. After his initial seasons with the Red Wings, where he emerged as a key player and twice earned the title of NHL’s Second Star of the Week, he signed a four-year contract with them in 2017.
However, Tatar was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018, followed by a move to Montreal before the 2018–19 season. With the Canadiens, he set a career-high in points during the 2019–20 season. In 2021, he signed with the New Jersey Devils, contributing to their first playoff series win since 2012. In 2023, Tatar joined the Colorado Avalanche.
Kyle Quincey
Kyle Quincey is a retired Canadian defenseman. He played in the NHL for several teams, including the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Minnesota Wild.
Quincey was drafted in the third round, 47th overall, of the 2001 OHL Priority Selection by the London Knights. He was then drafted 132nd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
He made his NHL debut with Detroit in 2005 and scored his first NHL goal in the 2006–07 season. He eventually joined the Los Angeles Kings in 2008, where he had a breakthrough season leading the Kings’ defense in scoring. Quincey’s NHL career totals include 586 games, with 36 goals, 122 assists, and 158 points.
