Jonathan Ericsson News

He has an incomparable ability to anticipate the game, see plays develop before the lion's share of defensemen in the NHL, and use his rapier-like stick at exactly the critical juncture to disrupt an opponent.

The 6'2" 210-pound defenceman from Rocky Mountain House Alberta A was the third overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft with the San Jose Sharks.

The Detroit Red Wings ' season ended in a disappointing fashion as a team that looked like all of its players weren't on the same page was picked apart by a Nashville team which wasn't suffering the same affliction .

Ken Holland would rather have been watching his team in the NHL playoffs, but at least some Red Wings stood out during the recent world championships in Europe.

It's tough to find a single day in the hockey calendar as exciting and full of top quality play as the quarterfinals of the IIHF World Championships.

Red Wings' goaltender Jimmy Howard of the United States watches one of Finland's three goals sail by him in the Americans' 3-2 loss Thursday in a World Championships quarterfinal game.

Team USA's Justin Abdelkader is among the Detroit Red Wings who advanced to the medal round at the World Championships.

After an ineffective performance for the Red Wings during the NHL playoffs, Franzen broke his nose Friday during Sweden's 7-3 loss to Russia in the hockey world championships in Stockholm.

Justin Faulk, Ryan Lasch and the Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader celebrate Friday with J.T. Brown after Brown scored in Team USA's 3-2 overtime victory over Kazakhstan in the World Championships.

Jonathan Ericsson tries to score a goal against Norway's Goalkeeper Lars Haugen during a preliminary round match at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Stockholm on May 4, 2012.

Johan Frazen of Sweden tries to get past Germany's John Tripp Wednesday in a preliminary game at the World Championships.

Red Wings' farmhand Tomas Tatar of Slovakia is surrounded by five Team USA players that include Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard.

Team USA forward Justin Abdelkader of the Detroit Red Wings watches the puck in front of Canadian goalie Cam Ward.

Red Wings' defenseman Kyle Quincey will be joining Team Canada Sunday, according to a Tweet by Hockey Canada .

Nine current and former members of the Grand Rapids Griffins will compete at the 2012 IIHF World Championships starting Friday, including Mona Shores graduate Justin Abdelkader.