‘He can destroy a guy’: ‘Unicorn’ defenseman Aitcheson could fall to Red Wings at No. 13 in draft

Kashawn Aitcheson knows all about the Gordie Howe hat trick a goal, an assist and a fight in the same game, named after the legendary Red Wings winger who led Detroit to four Stanley Cups in the 1950s.

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22, 2025.

The 6-2, 196-pound Aitcheson had a goal, an assist and, in his fight, he broke the orbital bone of forward Masen Wray, the son of Owen Sound coach Scott Wray.

In an earlier fight on Oct.

5, 2024, Aitcheson broke the nose of Sudbury Wolves overage defenseman Nicholas DeAngelis.

Offensively, Aitcheson led the Colts with 26 goals, third most by an OHL defenseman behind Memorial Cup champions Zayne Parekh (33 goals/Calgary Flames) of the Saginaw Spirit and Sam Dickinson (29 goals/San Jose Sharks) of the London Knights.

Hes really a unicorn in todays game, Colts general manager Marty Williamson said.

You have a lot of offensive defensemen in our league like Zayne Parekh and you have defensive defensemen like Ben Danford (Oshawa Generals/Toronto Maple Leafs).

But Kash is really a hybrid, 200-foot defenseman who can destroy a guy coming over the blueline like Jacob Trouba (Rochester/Anaheim Ducks).

No one wants to fight him because he does such damage.

He also scored almost every big goal in overtime or with our goalie pulled this year.

The ninth-ranked North American skater by NHLs Central Scouting, Aitcheson and 6-6 Radim Mrtka of the Seattle Thunderbirds are the top-rated defensemen behind blueliner Matthew Schaefer, who is expected to be selected No.

1 overall by the New York Islanders.

In a draft featuring more high-end forwards in the top 15 picks, Aitcheson could slide to Detroit at No.

13 and become a defensive mainstay on the Red Wings blueline, combining skill and physical play along with 6-4 Moritz Seider and 6-6 Simon Edvinsson.

I would obviously be super ecstatic if I was drafted by the Red Wings, Aitcheson said.

Its such a prestigious organization.

Playing a physical game has always been the way I played.

I think its the right way to play, big clean hits and playing tough, and doing the little things.

I never go into any fight wanting to hurt anyone or inflict pain.

I go into a fight to protect a teammate or change the momentum of the game.

Luckily, I havent had anything happen to me yet, but I know theres give and take at the next level.

As long as youre doing it for the better of the team and not for your own self ego or trying to hurt someone.

Aitcheson would also be the first NHL player with Jamaican roots to play with the Red Wings since defenseman Trevor Daley from 2017-2020.

Daleys and Aitchesons dads are both from Jamaica and both raised their families in the Toronto area along with former NHLer and ESPN analyst P.K.

Subban.

I look up to people like P.K.

Subban, Wayne Simmonds and Trevor Daley, Aitcheson said.

They paved the path for our generation, to push Black hockey and change the culture in hockey as well.

I know how much one simple moment, saying hi or signing a puck, what it means to some kids.

We can inspire people and give back to the community.

Williamson said teams at the top of the draft order have expressed interest in drafting the hard-hitting, high-scoring Aitcheson, especially after the Florida Panthers won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles with a similar style of aggressive, intimidating play and balanced scoring throughout the lineup.

Kashawn plays more old school like (Hall of Fame defenseman and three-time Stanley Cup champion) Scott Stevens, Williamson said.

We trusted him because he wasnt careless with his hits.

None of those hits you saw on social media were five-minute head shots.

Hes not looking to cheapshot guys and thats part of the appeal of him.

He hits you hard.

Aitcheson said hes looking forward to being drafted on Friday at the Peacock Theater in L.A., when he can share the moment with family and friends.

If hes returned to Barrie for his fourth OHL season, he said hell try and help the 2025 Eastern Conference finalist Colts to the 2026 Memorial Cup in Kelowna, British Columbia.

I have a lot more to give with my game, said Aitcheson, who has 101 points in 151 career OHL games.

I think that comes with time, learning, being patient, and making sure to improve.

I dont want to give up my defensive game for more offense.

Just being tough mentally and doing the little things in the corner physically.

When: 7 p.m.

Friday (Round 1) and noon Saturday (Rounds 2-7) TV: Round 1 on ESPN, Rounds 2-7 on NHL Network Red Wings picks: The Red Wings have nine picks, including their own selections in the first (13th overall), second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, as well as the New York Rangers third-round pick and St.

Louis seventh-rounder..

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