from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

Filip Zadina came out of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ dressing room on Friday morning, still wearing his skates, like he couldn’t wait to get going. He stood in a hallway in Van Andel Arena — less than 24 hours before he would be called up to Detroit Red Wings.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Zadina said. “I’ve been waiting for the chance. It finally came. I’m so excited to go there.”

So are Wings fans.

Zadina was the Wings’ first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. He is a dynamic, skilled skater with a wicked shot who slipped to the Wings at the sixth pick like a gift floating down from the hockey gods.

After starting the season in Grand Rapids, he will make his NHL debut on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks in Little Caesars Arena.

“It’s all I’ve been dreaming about,” Zadina said. “It’s finally come. Hopefully, I will play well and help the team win.”

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