Red Wings Sign Griffins Forward Sheldon Dries to Extension

The former Western Michigan captain is a top scorer for the Griffins' AHL team.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 11:47am

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The Detroit Red Wings have signed 31-year-old forward Sheldon Dries, who plays for their AHL affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins, to a two-year, two-way contract extension. Dries, an undrafted player from Macomb, Michigan, has been a key contributor for the Griffins, ranking among the team's leaders in goals and points in his second season with the club.

Why it matters

Dries' extension demonstrates the Red Wings' commitment to developing talent within their minor league system, which is crucial for building a competitive NHL roster over the long term. As an undrafted player, Dries has had to work his way up, making his continued success with the Griffins an encouraging sign for the Red Wings' player development pipeline.

The details

Dries, who served as team captain during his four seasons at Western Michigan University from 2013-2017, has appeared in 99 games with the Griffins, tallying 40 goals and 69 points. He has also played in 122 NHL games over the past five seasons with the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks, recording 16 goals and 26 points at the top level.

  • Dries signed his two-year, two-way contract extension with the Red Wings on February 1, 2026.

The players

Sheldon Dries

A 31-year-old forward who plays for the Detroit Red Wings' AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Dries is an undrafted player from Macomb, Michigan who previously served as team captain at Western Michigan University.

Detroit Red Wings

The NHL team that signed Sheldon Dries to a two-year, two-way contract extension, demonstrating their commitment to developing talent within their minor league system.

Grand Rapids Griffins

The AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, where Sheldon Dries has been a key contributor, ranking among the team's leaders in goals and points.

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The takeaway

Sheldon Dries' contract extension with the Red Wings is an example of how NHL teams can build a competitive roster by nurturing talent within their minor league affiliates. As an undrafted player, Dries has had to prove himself at every level, and his continued success with the Griffins shows the value of the Red Wings' player development system.