After three years in the Detroit Red Wings organization, 32-year-old defenseman Doug Janik has officially accepted an offer from German team Adler Mannheim on a one-year deal and will head overseas.
Originally drafted 55th overall in 1999 by the Buffalo Sabres, the Agawam, Mass., native bounced around during his NHL tenure before eventually settling into a role in Detroit's system. The Red Wings initially revealed that he had been fielding offers from overseas teams in need of his services, and Janik reportedly told the organization point-blank that he planned to head overseas unless something fell through.
At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, Janik has an ideal frame for a defenseman and looks to be a key player for German hockey. Though he only appeared in 29 games over the last three years with the Red Wings and largely spent most of his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit's AHL affiliate, there's no question that Janik possesses NHL talent. Rather ironically, Janik will don the No. 33 uniform for the Eagles, which is the exact same age he'll be when his contract runs dry.
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