Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
The Detroit Red Wings have announced the signing of defenseman Kannok Leipert, a prospect determined to make the NHL.
Today, the Detroit Red Wings announced the extension of Alex Kannok Leipert.
The depth defenseman’s contract was extended. As the lone Thai-born professional hockey player, he’s competing to make it to the NHL.
He’s done more than earn his contract extension with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he’s played 39 games and scored 9 points (1-8).
The Thai-born defenseman joined the Red Wings’ affiliate after the conclusion of the 2024-25 AHL season.
Leipert is aiming to do better than his career best of 7 assists. He’s part of a historic Griffin’s team that has a record of 33-6-2. He could continue his breakout and make his push to the NHL as one of the only players from Southeast Asia to make an impact in professional hockey.
His career-best (8) assists this season put him third amongst AHL defensemen, and he has two shorthanded assists. He’s found a way to be impactful in all situations on the ice.
What defenseman Kannok Leipert brings to the Detroit Red Wings
The Thai-born defenseman is known for his physical style of play and leadership capabilities. He’s found a way to establish himself as more than a one-dimensional player in the AHL.
While he was selected by the Washington Capitals in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL draft, he began his professional hockey career with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks.
In that span, he played 123 regular-season games, recording 12 points and 140 penalty minutes while posting a plus-10 rating. He also appeared in two playoff games in 2023 and added an assist.
Leipert spent his WHL career as captain of the Vancouver Giants, where he scored 83 points (21-62), with 240 penalty minutes, and a plus-47 rating in 219 games.
The Red Wings keep their organizational depth strong with the extension of Leipert in the AHL ranks. This could turn out to be one of the Red Wings’ most successful signings, depending on how he continues to mature in the AHL.
Maybe soon we will see him wear the winged wheel in the NHL.
Previously on Detroit Hockey Insider
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Detroit Red Wings announce organization signs the lone Thai-born pro hockey player
Do you think the Detroit Red Wings’ announcement of the signing of defenseman Alex Kannok Leipert was a smart move for the team’s organizational depth?