A tough off-season got a little bit easier for general manager Todd Harkins with the news the Prince George Cougars has signed the Detroit Red Wings first round pick (20th overall), defenceman Dennis Cholowski to a WHL standard player agreement. This means, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the 6’1″, 196lb defenceman will be applying his trade in the Northern Capital of BC this season.
BREAKING!
The Cats have signed @DetroitRedWings prospect @dcholowski27 to a Standard @TheWHL Player Agreement!
MORE: https://t.co/7T5B95KcA3 pic.twitter.com/Yjpo1YfBWb— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) August 14, 2017
The Cougars acquired Cholowski’s rights in the 2013 Bantam Draft selecting the d-man in the 10th round (200th Overall). It’s rather lucky (or maybe a testament to the new direction of the organization) that the Cougars will see Cholowski skating on CN Centre ice this year. The Cholowski camp made it clear to WHL franchises that he was very interested in taking the NCAA route, which is the reason Prince George was able to nab him in the 10th round of the bantam draft.
Cholowski played two full seasons for the BCHL’s Chilliwack Chiefs, putting up 67 points in 106 regular season games and 22 points in 32 games in the playoffs. He then moved onto the NCAA with St. Cloud State University where he recorded 12 points in 36 games.
The biggest knock on Cholowski is that he’s slight, and needs to put on some muscle. Look for the defenceman to use the opportunity of playing in the WHL to not only hit the gym, but also play big minutes. After losing captain Sam Ruopp (aged out) and Brenden Guhle (AHL/NHL Buffalo Sabres) the Cougar blue line will welcome the addition.
