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Red Wings' Michael Rasmussen learning NHL tricks during difficult season

(Photo: David Guralnick, Detroit News)

Detroit — Michael Rasmussen isn’t the biggest and strongest player on the ice anymore.

The Red Wings’ rookie was that guy in junior hockey, dominating in Tri-City last season.

But Rasmussen has found out in the NHL, he’s just another guy.

Which isn’t surprising for a 19-year-old who had to skip over the American League because he had junior hockey eligibility — meaning Rasmussen was either going to be kept by the Wings, or returned to juniors, where there was nothing left to prove.

The Wings obviously kept Rasmussen, and he’s done fine given the circumstances.