Red Wings’ Alex DeBrincat pushing for spot on U.S. Olympic team

CALGARY — Two months from the start of the men’s hockey competition at the Winter Olympics, Alex DeBrincat continues to push for a spot on the United States team.

The 27-year-old winger extended his point streak to five games on Wednesday, leading the surging Detroit Red Wings with two goals and an assist in a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames.

While DeBrincat wasn’t one of the 44 players invited to the U.S. Men’s Olympic Orientation camp in August, he has been one of the most productive Americans this season.

His 16 goals are tied for second among American players behind Jason Robertson (19), and his 34 points are tied for fourth behind Robertson (39), Jack Eichel (38) and Kyle Connor (37).

“Obviously I want to make that team, but it’s something you try to keep out of your mind,” said DeBrincat from the visitors’ locker room at Scotiabank Saddledome. “Right now we’re focused on winning here, and not so much that. They’re going to make those decisions and there’s nothing I can do about that. So no point to dwell on it and worry about it.”

His output thus far has him on pace for a career-best 42 goals and 90 points. He’s hit 41 goals twice before — both times with Chicago, who he was drafted by. He sniped 39 goals with Detroit last season.

“There’s going to be a lot of questions and (U.S. general manager) Billy Guerin and (Canada GM) Doug Armstrong and the international teams, they have a tough job,” said Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan. “There’s so many good players in our game right now.

“Would I like to see Alex DeBrincat there? Do I think he deserves to be there? Yes, but there’s a lot of players out there, and fortunately, I don’t have to make those decisions.”

While the offensive totals are what jump off the page, McLellan singled out a different part of his game.

“You talk about offence, but I’ll go to his competitiveness,” he said. “He’s a hungry, feisty player that competes every night. It doesn’t matter where we play, whether it’s three in three, five games in five nights if he had to, he’d give you everything he had, and his shot is a weapon.”

DeBrincat is playing on a line with Andrew Copp and Patrick Kane. McLellan described the trio’s play on Monday as “very, very good.”

DeBrincat ripped a shot past Devin Cooley on a sublime cross-ice setup from Kane to take a 2-0 lead inside the opening five minutes. Then he turned playmaker, threading a pass to Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who wired a shot inside the near post.

“We’re just reading off each other really well, going to open spaces,” said Copp. “Cat’s putting the puck in the net, great pass he made to Ax, too. We’re all controlling the puck and just supporting each other and I think there’s a growing chemistry there.”

Copp said DeBrincat’s shot makes him so dangerous.

“His ability to just get the puck off in any situation. You can put it in his feet, put it on his backhand, he could be carrying it, he just finds a way to get pucks through and his one-timer is obviously elite,” he said.

But Copp added that his linemate also puts the work in.

“What I didn’t realize is how hard he works on the puck and hounding the puck,” he said. “I think that’s given him more opportunities and obviously he’s got all the skill in the world to put pucks away.”

DeBrincat takes the most pride in his improvement in that side of the game.

“I’ve become a lot better in the D-zone and staying hard on pucks,” he said. “Obviously that’s something I’m always working on. But I feel good about my game right now. I feel confident. And it’s nice to get some wins as a team and feel good as a group.”

Time will tell whether he’ll make the Olympic team, but in the interim he’s helping the Red Wings enjoy a strong season as they try to make the post-season for the first time since 2015-16.

Despite nearly letting its 4-0 lead slip away in the third, Detroit leapfrogged Boston and Tampa Bay into first place in the Atlantic Division.

“Definitely some stuff to clean up. But, overall, we put ourselves in a good position to win that game,” said DeBrincat. “Obviously not ideal to give up three in the third, but that’s the way it goes. Like I said, we had four up on the board, and usually that wins the game.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2025.