Notes: Confident Fulcher hoping to build on last season's success

TRAVERSE CITY -- A year ago, Red Wings goaltending prospect Kaden Fulcher was looking for a contract.
Saturday night he'll be starting in net as the Wings seek their first victory of the 2018 prospect tournament at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City.

Invited by the Wings to their 2017 development camp in Traverse City as a free agent, the 6-foot-3, 182-pound Fulcher impressed the Red Wings enough to be invited back to last year's prospect tournament and Detroit's training camp.
"We had a window to sign him when he went back to junior (last season) and we signed him that week we sent him back to junior," Red Wings goaltending coach Jeff Salajko said. "He's a kid that just continued to get better as his season went on. I've watched him the last two days in practice here and the pregame skate yesterday (Friday) and he has a level of patience now that he didn't have.
"He's just added a little more structure to his game, he looks clean and he's grown again. He's grown another inch, they say he's pushing 6-5 and he uses that size effectively. So I'm really excited that we have him in the stable here and I think he's going to be really good for us."
After signing with the Red Wings, Fulcher returned to the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, where he backstopped Hamilton to the OHL championship and a slot in the Memorial Cup.
Fulcher is aware of the scrutiny this Red Wings prospects team is under since the roster is filled with high draft picks and high-end talent.
And after dropping their first game 4-2 to the Minnesota Wild on Friday, the Wings need to reverse their fortunes quickly.
"It's obviously like the Memorial Cup format, if you lose a game you're not in a good spot. We know we need this game tonight and at the end of the day we all want to win this tournament," Fulcher said. "You're going to see us bring it all tonight, there are a lot of good vibes going into this game. There are a lot of expectations in this room.
"Honestly, there couldn't be a better group of guys in this room. When you look around this room and you talk to guys, you see a lot of guys that honestly, I could pick one single guy who could wear the 'C' one day for the Wings. Everyone in this room is a leader and it starts with those off-ice qualities. We have a lot of talent on the ice and now we just have to bring it."
Though it may be a bit melodramatic to label Saturday's game as a must-win for Detroit, Fulcher is confident the Wings will be ready to get the job done versus the Stars.
"There's not really too much to be nervous about, it's something we've been doing our whole lives, so the guys are really coming together in the locker room," he said. "We're just going to get better as this tournament goes on."
Over the course of the last year, Fulcher has developed a close relationship with Red Wings goaltending development coach Brian Mahoney-Wilson, which he believes has calmed him down, allowing him to settle into becoming a better goalie.
"It's just an unbelievable relationship, it's not what I expected coming into pro, just to know you're going to have that guy who's always going to have your back in the system and I'm going to work to make that guy proud," Fulcher said. "It's definitely a mentor relationship and at the same time we're pretty good friends. He's a unique guy and I'm a unique guy myself. We work well together, we may get on people's nerves, it's funny."
Mahoney-Wilson has high expectations for Fulcher and he feels Red Wings officials and fans will be impressed with the Brigden, Ontario native.
"He's had a good offseason, he's made some improvements to his game, obviously his confidence is high coming off an OHL championship and a good Memorial Cup," Mahoney-Wilson said. "This is a good opportunity to show the brass that he's ready for pro hockey and to move into one of our slots in our organization and I expect a lot out of him tonight."
FIRST GAME DOWN: For Joe Veleno, not only was Friday night's contest against the Minnesota Wild his first game in a while, it was also his very first prospect tournament game.
"He had an OK game," Simon said. "A little bit nervous, I think. We talked today, I think he was feeling the pressure a little bit. He has high expectations for himself. But I thought as the game went on, he settled in and he's expecting to play better tonight."
Veleno, who assisted on both Detroit goals in the loss, agreed with Simon's assessment.
"I thought it was OK," Veleno said. "First game is always kind of tough, a lot of new things coming at you -- systems, players, linemates. For the most part, I think we played a good game. There's always room for improvement. I think we're going to try to be better tonight."
The Wings were delighted when Veleno was still available at the end of the first round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft this past June.
With the 30th pick they acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Tomas Tatar trade, the Wings took the speedy center, who was projected to go in the middle of the first round.

Veleno's skating is already one of his primary assets so he concentrated on other things this summer.
"Well, obviously I think a big part was to get stronger physically," Veleno said. "I was in the gym pretty much every day this summer, just getting my shot better, getting my strength better. I think that's going to play a huge factor on the ice."
Of course, sometimes that strength comes with getting a little older and Veleno is still just 18.
"I think once your body starts to mature, once you get older, you start building more strength," Veleno acknowledged. "It's coming along pretty well. I'm happy with the way my summer went. Hopefully I can show it throughout the season this year."
For now, Veleno is hoping to show some of that added strength during the prospect tournament in Traverse City.
"Obviously I want to be the best player I can be," he said. "For sure I want to demonstrate my skills on the ice and show what I can do on the ice. I think that's going to come with my work ethic. As long as I just keep my game simple and work hard, I think good things will happen."
Against the Dallas Stars Saturday night, Veleno will be centering a high-powered line with Michael Rasmussen and Filip Zadina.
With the uncertainty surrounding captain Henrik Zetterberg and the Wings not having a ton of centers in the system, it could open the door for Veleno to fast track his way to the NHL, even though he's expected to spend this season back in the QMJHL with the Drummondville Voltigeurs.
"Time will tell," Veleno said. "Obviously it's up to the people in the stands who are going to decide that. I'm just going to play my game and hopefully I can stick around for a bit. Obviously it's a dream to play in the NHL so I'd be more than glad to stick around, but at the end of the day it's their call. For me, I can just control on the ice - work hard and play my game."
SAARIJARVI DOING FINE: Defenseman Vili Saarijarvi was unable to finish Friday night's game but he was back on the ice for the morning skate Saturday.
Saarijarvi said he just started to cramp up but is just fine.
"Vili's good," Simon said. "He has a history of kind of tightening up or dehydrating, trainers take good care of him, they're on top of it so hopefully he'll be OK."
Saarijarvi is in the lineup for the Stars game, paired with Jared McIsaac.