Detroit — Pro hockey is a different game this time of year. Young defenseman Dennis Cholowski found that out in a hurry.
Cholowski was with Shawn Horcoff, the Red Wings’ director of player development, at a recent Grand Rapids Griffins playoff game and did a double take over the intensity on the ice.
“It was a good learning experience,” said Griffins coach Todd Nelson, noting any youngster would be wide-eyed by the level of play. “It was a good introduction to the playoffs.”
Cholowski, 19, the Red Wings’ 2016 first-round draft pick (20th overall), signed a three-year entry level contract on April 5 — he had just completed his freshman season at St.