Red Wings sign Northville native and University of Michigan alum Kevin Porter

July 1, 2014July 1, 2014 MiHockey Staff

NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four — Kevin Porter was the 2008 recepient of the Hobey Baker award. (Photo from the MiHockey archives, courtesy of Trevor Brown, Jr., of NCAA Photos)

By @MichaelCaples –

It might not have been the right-handed defenseman fans were looking for, but the Red Wings did add to their roster on the first afternoon of the free-agency period – and he just so happens to be a Michigan native.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie first reported that the Wings have signed Northville native Kevin Porter to a two-way deal, meaning that the University of Michigan alum will either be in a Red Wings or a Grand Rapids Griffins jersey next fall.

Porter confirmed it on his official Twitter account, as well, saying the following:

@KPorter12: Being from Detroit I couldn’t be any happier to be joining the Detroit Red Wings organization this next season. #MadeInDetroit

The 28-year-old won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award during his senior season with the Wolverines in 2008. Since his four years with the University of Michigan, he has spent time in both the NHL and the AHL, playing professionally for the Coyotes, Avalanche and Sabres.

Last year, Porter played in 12 games with the Sabres, and 50 with their AHL affiliate in Rochester. In AHL competition, he recorded 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points, along with 24 penalty minutes.

He played for the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2002-04. Before his junior days, he competed for Little Caesars, Honeybaked and the Ice Dogs AAA program.