Red Wings Carter Mazur exits game with upper-body injury

The Detroit Red Wings announced that Carter Mazur will not return tonight’s game versus Utah Hockey Club following an upper-body injury.

Mazur logged two shifts and 1:10 of ice time before exiting the game in what was his National Hockey League debut.

Mazur was called up by the Red Wings after the team placed forward Christian Fischer on waivers on Wednesday.

The Jackson, Michigan native expected to have around 200 and 300 friends and family coming to Thursday night’s game.

The 22-year-old was taken in the third round, 70th overall, in the 2021 NHL Draft. Before turning pro, Mazur experienced substantial success while at the University of Denver, winning the NCAA National Championship during the 2021-22 season along with fellow Red Wings prospect Antti Tuomisto.

Mazur has spent the past two seasons with the Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. Through 20 games this season, Mazur has notched eight goals and seven assists for 15 points. In 86 career AHL appearances, he has posted 28 goals and 30 assists for 58 points.

Head coach Todd McLellan recognizes the grit in Mazur’s game. He hopes that the game can translate to the NHL and impact a team battling for a playoff spot.

“He has a tenacity to his game, McLellan said after the morning skate. “We could use that right now.”

Mazur suffered a shoulder injury during the NHL Prospect Tournament in 2023, which kept him out for a few months. Mazur also missed three months this year after suffering an upper-body injury in November.

Detroit currently sits fifth in the Atlantic Division with a 30-25-6 record, one point back of the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.