Red Wings sign Michigan native, Western alum Luke Witkowski

By @MichaelCaples –

The Red Wings added Trevor Daley today, but that wasn’t it for their free-agency moves.

Detroit is bringing Luke Witkowski home.

The Holland, Mich., native has signed a two-year contract with his hometown team.

OFFICIAL: The Detroit #RedWings today signed defenseman Luke Witkowski to a two-year contract. pic.twitter.com/gtw2J9vtxV

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 1, 2017

Witkowski is a Western Michigan alum; he was a sixth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008.

He has split time between the Lightning and the Syracuse Crunch since turning pro in 2013. Last season, the defenseman played in 34 games with the Lightning, logging four points and 39 penalty minutes.

In 19 games with the Crunch, he recorded five assists and 59 penalty minutes.

The 6-foot-3, 214-pound defenseman certainly brings some toughness to the Red Wings’ roster.

He was a sophomore defenseman the year that Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill served in the same capacity for Western Michigan. Witkowski played with Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser for three seasons in Kalamazoo, as well, spanning from 2010-2013.

Witkowski is capable of moving up to the wing if needed.

His scouting report from The Hockey News:

An extremely aggressive defenseman, he likes to dish out punishment from the back end. Can also play a wing position at the highest level as a physical, energy type.