CHL to NHL: First round pick Danielson debuts with Red Wings

Former Brandon Wheat Kings and Portland Winterhawks forward Nate Danielson made his NHL debut with the Detroit Red Wings Sunday.

In a 5-1 loss to Chicago, Danielson played 15:16 and recorded four shots on goals.

The fifth overall pick in the 2019 WHL Draft by Brandon, the Edmonton, AB., native would play 171 games for the team where he tallied 176 points (71 goals). At the trade deadline in 2024, he was acquired by Portland where he played 28 games and tallied 41 points while in that year’s postseason, he had 24 points in just 18 games.

In all, Danielson recorded 83 goals and 217 points in 199 WHL games.

Ahead of his NHL debut, Danielson has played 75 games in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Detroit selected the 21-year-old ninth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.

NHL debut incoming. 👀 pic.twitter.com/TYRVXClAI8

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 9, 2025