Nate Danielson

Nate Danielson (born September 27, 2004) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted ninth overall by the Red Wings in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Playing career Danielson made his WHL debut for the Brandon Wheat Kings during the 2020–21 season and recorded three goals and 12 assists in 24 games. During the 2021–22 season, he averaged over a point-per-game and recorded 23 goals and 34 assists in 53 games. During the 2022–23 season, he served as captain and was the team leaders with 33 goals, 45 assists, 78 points, 13 power play goals 38 power play points and three shorthanded goals. He was named to the WHL East Division's Second All-Star Team and competed at the 2023 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. In three seasons for the Wheat Kings of the WHL he recorded 59 goals and 91 assists for 150 points in 145 games. On January 10, 2024, Danielson was traded to the Portland Winterhawks in exchange for Nick Johnson, Rhett Ravndahl, and three draft picks. Prior to being traded, he recorded 12 goals and 14 assists in 26 games for the Wheat Kings.

Danielson was drafted ninth overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2023 NHL entry draft. On July 12, 2023, the Red Wings signed Danielson to a three-year, entry-level contract. He made his preseason debut for the Red Wings on September 26, 2023, and scored a goal in a 4–3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On May 18, 2024, Danielson was reassigned to the Red Wings' AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. He made his professional debut for the Griffins during the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs. He became the sixth player to make his Griffins debut during the playoffs a year after being drafted, following Jason Spezza (2001), Cory Emmerton (2006), Jan Muršak (2006), Dylan Larkin (2014), and Evgeny Svechnikov (2015).

On November 9th, 2025, Danielson was called up by the Detroit Red Wings and made his NHL debut in a 5–1 loss at home against the Chicago Blackhawks.

International play

Danielson represented Canada at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics where he recorded two goals and one assist in four games and won a bronze medal. He represented Canada at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he recorded one goals and two assists in 5 games.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2020–21 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 24 3 12 15 8 — — — — — 2021–22 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 53 23 34 57 34 6 1 2 3 2 2022–23 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 68 33 45 78 38 — — — — — 2023–24 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 26 12 14 26 14 — — — — — 2023–24 Portland Winterhawks WHL 28 12 29 41 28 18 7 17 24 16 2023–24 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL — — — — — 2 0 0 0 0 2024–25 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 71 12 27 39 33 3 1 0 1 9 2025–26 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 18 3 12 15 4 — — — — — 2025–26 Detroit Red Wings NHL 28 2 5 7 4 — — — — —NHL totals 28 2 5 7 4 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2024 Canada WJC 5th 5 1 2 3 0Junior totals 5 1 2 3 0

Awards and honours Award Year(s) WHL East Division Second All-Star Team 2023