Trey Augustine Eyes Griffins Starting Job as Pro Career Begins
The Red Wings' top goalie prospect will battle for the crease in Grand Rapids this fall with an eye on Detroit down the road.
Trey Augustine is done waiting for his shot. The 21 year old goaltender, one of the Detroit Red Wings' top prospects, will compete for the starting job with the Grand Rapids Griffins this season as he begins his first full year as a pro.
Detroit picked Augustine 41st overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. He spent three seasons at Michigan State, where he was named Big Ten goaltender of the year each of the past two years, before signing a three year entry level contract with the Red Wings that kicks in for 2026-27. He got his first taste of the AHL last spring, appearing in two games for Grand Rapids after his junior season ended, going 0-2-0 with a 3.39 goals against average and an .878 save percentage.
"Obviously everyone wants to make the NHL. It's your lifelong dream, lifelong goal," Augustine said at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Chicago in late July.
His path got a little clearer in June, when the Red Wings traded goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for a first round pick in the 2026 draft. Former Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman, who is moving into a senior adviser role, said the club would not have made that move without confidence in its remaining goaltending depth.
Augustine will push for the Griffins' net alongside Michal Postava and Carter Gylander. Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson praised his competitiveness and work ethic in camp, saying Augustine "does not like to get scored on" and stays out for extra reps without complaint.
Winning the job in Grand Rapids would put Augustine third on Detroit's goaltending depth chart, positioning him as a potential call up option if the Red Wings need help between the pipes this season.
