(Photo: Paul Sancya, Associated Press)
Detroit — Givani Smith had been waiting for this day for a long time, ever since he could remember.
On Friday, completing the morning skate after Smith had been called up from Grand Rapids, and hours before his NHL debut, the wait finally was over.
“It’s been my goal from day one,” said Smith, the Wings’ 2016 second-round draft pick. “When I was a kid I always dreamed about this moment, playing in the NHL, and tonight is the night.”
Smith’s promotion came about partly because of the Wings’ injuries from Wednesday’s loss in Ottawa.