Together, within days of each other, they signed pro contracts and officially became Detroit Red Wings hopefuls. Yet, beneath the surface, truisms remained.

Kienan Draper is a Michigan man. Trey Augustine will always go green.

Can they put years of bitter rivalry aside, as they unite in pursuit of a common goal?

Sure. Why not? Let bygones be bygones and all that sort of stuff.

UPDATE: Trey Augustine will report to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Additionally, Augustine has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2026-27 season. pic.twitter.com/751Y0EGRMa

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 31, 2026

“Obviously, playing for Michigan and Michigan State, there’s always going to be that rivalry there, and I’m sure there always will be when they’re playing each other,” former Michigan State Spartan Augustine said of suddenly being pro teammates with Michigan Wolverines forward Kienan Draper. “But, no, I mean, obviously we’re teammates now, and we’re pulling for each other.”

Pulling for each other instead of trying to pull each other apart. Pro sports tend to make for strange scenarios.

Netminder Augustine, Detroit’s 41st overall selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, turned pro late last season, joining the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins after signing his entry-level deal with the Red Wings.

Around the same time, Michigan senior Draper, Detroit’s 187th selection in the 2020 draft, was inking an AHL pact and also arriving in Grand Rapids.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely different,” Draper said. “I mean, going against certain guys is, when you’re going against them, you don’t like them.

“But when you’re on the same team, you’re all pulling on the same rope.”

Red Wings Picks Dealing With Changes

In a sense, what Augustine and Draper are undergoing is no different than what we experience upon finishing school and entering the real world.

The friends who’ve been such a significant part of your life for many years are also embarking on their careers, heading in different directions. A new group of friends awaits as you enter the workforce.

Draper understands this reality succinctly.

“I know Trey and I, we’re going to be getting along now for sure,” Draper said.

Augustine echoed those sentiments.

“Yeah, I’ve known him for a while now,” Augustine said of Draper. “Obviously, just a super good kid.”

His teammate. And now, his friend.

That’s just how it works in sports.