GRAND FORKS — UND senior forward Dylan James has signed a two-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings.
James will immediately report to Grand Rapids, the top minor-league affiliate of the Red Wings, this week and finish this season on a tryout deal.
His NHL contract will start next season.
James had a big senior year for UND, leading the Fighting Hawks with 21 goals. He had 32 points in 40 games, a career high.
Detroit drafted James in the second round, No. 40 overall, in 2022, and considered signing him last summer. James opted to return to UND for his senior season, though.
James served as an assistant captain and led the Fighting Hawks to a National Collegiate Hockey Conference Penrose Cup as regular-season champions and UND’s first NCAA Frozen Four appearance in a decade.
James’ point total increased every year at UND from 16 to 19 to 22 to 32.
James is the third player from the 2025-26 UND team to sign an NHL contract.
Defensemen Abram Wiebe and Jake Livanavage signed after UND lost in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals to Wisconsin. Both Wiebe and Livanavage reported directly to their NHL teams and are expected to make their NHL debuts.
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.