PLAYER INFO:
POSITION: Defense
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6’02″/205lbs
SHOOTS: Left
DOB: June 1st, 1994
HOMETOWN: Pickering, Ontario
DRAFT: 2016 Free Agent Signing out of University of Maine
TEAM: Grand Rapids Griffins
THE 411:
Dan Renouf, a free agent signed out of the University of Maine enjoyed many successes in his first full season as a member of the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Renouf chipped in 16 points from the blue line, was a positive contributor finishing the regular season with a plus-12 rating and was fearless when it came to “shedding the mitts” a total of 7 times compiling a total of 95 penalty minutes along the way.
The biggest highlight of Renouf’s season came in late March when he was called up to the big club for a road game at Carolina. The 23-year-old (then 22) rookie didn’t shy away from his physical style registering three hits to go with one shot on goal.
CAREER NUMBERS:
THEY SAID IT:
Red Wings Head Coach Jeff Blashill had this to say about Renouf ahead his first game in the NHL, “He’s a good sized defenseman who I think is fairly efficient. He skates well and makes good decisions with the puck. I think efficiency is a word that he’s going to want to be, to be the best he can be and have a good impact on our team.” Post-game his coach had this to say, “I thought he got better as the game went on, early on he looked a little bit nervous. As the game went on he got better and better, the big hit in the second, he gapped up well and closed gaps well.”
HE SAID IT:
Renouf himself sees the route taken by another NCAA free agent signing, defenseman Danny Dekeyser and will attempt to emulate it in an effort to crack a Red Wings roster whose NHL defensive depth resembles that of a log jam, due more to contracts than an abundance of top tiered talent. “I know everyone has different paths, but, just seeing somebody do that, come straight out of college and step in and already have such an established part on the Red Wings is something to look up to” said Renouf. “I take care of my own end, (I’m a) two way player. I do like to get up in the rush but I think the best part of my game is the d-zone and shutting down players”
IN SUMMARY:
Outside of the limited NHL experience he received this season Renouf also suited up in all 19 playoff games with the Grand Rapids Griffins en route to a Calder Cup victory. He finished the playoff run at plus-7, good for third on the team’s back end, while leading all Griffins defenseman with an 11.8 shooting percentage. He was also the lone Grand Rapids d-man to register a game-winning-goal, which came in game 4 of the Calder Cup finals against the Syracuse Crunch.
Heading into the 2018 campaign look for Renouf to continue his edgy and physical game in the AHL as he adjusts to the grind of playing a 76 game season. Should the Red Wings fall into injury trouble he should get a look with the big club. If the Wings are unable to solidify themselves back into playoff contention you could very well see Renouf get a late season audition with the club if they find themselves looking for an added physical presence from the back end.
