Red Wings 2022-23 Wrap-Up: Adam Erne

DETROIT -- Being a tougher and gritter team was an identity that the Detroit Red Wings focused on establishing during the 2022-23 season.

And Adam Erne, in his fourth campaign with the Red Wings, embodied that approach by playing with a hard-nosed style every time he stepped onto the ice.

"I think it's part of my job to get the guys going," Erne said on March 3. "Obviously not always with a fight but being physical and playing the hard way."

Erne suited up in 43 games with Detroit to start the 2022-23 season before being assigned to the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins on Feb. 5. After tallying five points in nine contests for the Griffins, the 27-year-old forward was recalled to the Red Wings on March 2 and finished the campaign with Detroit.

"A lot more ice time down there," Erne said about his brief AHL stint. "A lot more touches of the puck. I thought I was playing well before. I think it was just a matter of when I was gonna come back up, and just making sure I played well and worked on my game down there."

Erne totaled eight goals and 10 assists in 61 games with the Red Wings in 2022-23. He finished second on the club with 160 hits, trailing only second-year defenseman Moritz Seider (207).

"Lucas (Raymond) can attest to it as well," Detroit captain Dylan Larkin said. "It's real nice to play with him (Erne) when he's forechecking and moving his feet."

Originally selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning with the 33rd overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Erne was acquired by Detroit in a trade on August 14, 2019. Erne, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, has totaled 89 points (40-49-89) in 355 NHL games between the Lightning and Red Wings since 2016-17.