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Traverse City resident Dallas Drake is coming home. Originally drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1989, he played two seasons before being traded and has spent the last six seasons in St. Louis. The former Northern Michigan Star signed a one-year deal.

“It’s exciting,” Drake said. “I still feel I have some good hockey left in me. I’ve always had a lot of respect for the (Red Wings) organization. Year in and year out they’re one of the top teams in the league. There’s got to be a good reason for it.”

Drake will be asked to add some “grit” to the Wings lineup and some toughness…

“He’s a very physical player who will add grit to our lineup and make our team even more difficult to play against,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a statement. “He’s a veteran player, and you can never have enough experience and leadership on a team.”

The Wings are still looking for a top-6 forward but the signing of Drake now gives them 13 forwards on the roster.

Read Traverse City resident signs 1-year deal with Detroit in the Record Eagle