Red Wings prospect Noah Dower Nilsson, who endured two separate shoulder surgeries last season, made his return to the Frölunda lineup over the weekend in the SHL preseason.
The 2023 third-round pick for Detroit played in two preseason games for Frölunda, after missing most of last season due to his injuries. His comeback began with a quiet performance on Friday against Leksands IF, failing to register a point in a 5-3 victory for Frölunda. By Saturday, in a game against Farjestad, he made a more noticeable impact. Although Frölunda ultimately lost 6-3, Dower Nilsson contributed by blocking a shot that led to a goal by Hannes Hellberg, reducing the deficit.
This season, Dower Nilsson aims to recover from the injury-plagued previous year. His 2023 season didn’t start until December due to surgeries recommended by the Red Wings for both him and his brother Liam Dower Nilsson to repair torn labrums. After a brief return to play, Noah injured his right shoulder and required another surgery in February.
Despite the challenging setbacks, Dower Nilsson is focused on his recovery. As he told The Hockey News in May, “It was tough, but the important thing is to be patient and stay in the right mindset.”
In the Red Wings’ system, Dower Nilsson is viewed as a long-term prospect with significant offensive potential. While his skating and defensive skills were areas for improvement at the time of his draft, last season was largely spent focusing on lower body conditioning while recovering. This season is crucial for him to demonstrate his progress and potential post-injury.
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