The Detroit Red Wings have signed college free agent winger Taro Hirose to a two-year entry-level contract. This contract carries him through the 2020-21 season. The deal comes with a base salary of 832K per year, along with 92.5K annually in signing bonuses. Hirose can also make another 850K in performance bonuses during the second year of his deal.
The Detroit #RedWings today agreed to terms with left wing Taro Hirose on a two-year entry-level contract. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/Qn9qrlMOq9
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 12, 2019
Taro Hirose Signs With Red Wings
This season he scored 15 goals and 35 assists for 50 points. He also added 12 minutes in penalties while playing for the Michigan State Spartans. Over the course of his three years at Michigan Hirose scored 33 goals and 83 assists for 116 points in 106 games.
Hirose was a stand out with the Spartans this past year, leading the team in points and finished third in scoring. Last season Hiroe was named to the NCAA Second All-Star team.
Hirose could prove to be an important piece for a Red Wing’s team that is currently in the midst of a rebuild. His play in the NHL this year will decide on where he starts his season next year but it’s hard to imagine he won’t be in the NHL. His play-making ability would fit in perfectly playing alongside a guy like Dylan Larkin or Andreas Athanasiou.
Ryan Kuffner Signs Two Year Deal
Forward is all-time leading scorer at Princeton; Led NCAA this season in points-per-game (1.419) and fourth in country with 22 goals: https://t.co/sCgACJOIX4 pic.twitter.com/c2fEPdmLZN
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 12, 2019
Along with Hirose, the Red Wings also signed forward Ryan Kuffner to a two-year entry-level deal. Kuffner finished his college career with back to back seasons of 20 goals. In four years with Princeton, he scored 75 goals and 77 assists for 152 points in 132 career games. He is now the all-time leading scorer at Princeton as well as fourth in the country in goals.
“Fisch has been on Kuffner for a couple of years,” Wings general manager Ken Holland told the Free Press. “We tried to sign him last year but he decided to stay in school one more year. He scored a lot of goals in college hockey. Fisch and I flew in Friday night to watch Princeton and Brown. He can score. Makes quick decisions, is competitive. Good on the wall.”
Both Hirose and Kuffner could be in the Red Wings lineup as early as Saturday. The two will need work visas and Hirose has a test to finish before joining the team.
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