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2025-26 Player in Review: Dylan James

2025-26 Player in Review: Dylan James

Jul 16, 2026

Written By: Andrew Streitel

Following his collegiate career, forward Dylan James made his professional debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins on April 15 at the Iowa Wild and finished the AHL season with two goals in two games. He scored his first pro goal during a two-goal outing on April 19 at the Cleveland Monsters. James also competed in one postseason contest, making his Calder Cup Playoff debut on May 16 against the Chicago Wolves. On April 11, James signed his first pro contract, a two-year, entry-level deal with the Detroit Red Wings that will begin in the 2026-27 season.

As a senior at the University of North Dakota, James served as an alternate captain and posted 32 points (21-11—32), 10 penalty minutes and a plus-17 rating in 40 outings. In addition to winning his second NCHC regular-season title, he notched collegiate career highs in goals, assists, points and plus-minus rating. James and the Fighting Hawks ultimately fell to the national runners-up, the Wisconsin Badgers, in the Frozen Four.

Regular Season Stat Line

34 GP, 17 goals, 10 assists, 27 points, +14 rating, 8 PIM with UND
2 GP, 2 goals, 0 assists, 2 points, +1 rating, 0 PIM with GRG

Postseason Stat Line

6 GP, 4 goals, 1 assist, 5 points, +3 rating, 2 PIM with UND
1 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, -1 rating, 0 PIM with GRG

Contract Status

Under contract by Detroit through the 2027-28 season

By the Numbers

11 – Signed his first pro contract on April 11, a two-year, entry-level deal with the Detroit Red Wings that will begin in the 2026-27 season

15 – Made professional debut with Grand Rapids on April 15 at Iowa

19 – Scored first pro goal during a two-goal outing on April 19 at the Cleveland Monsters

16 – Made Calder Cup Playoff debut on May 16 against the Chicago Wolves

5 – Logged a five-game point streak (4-1—5) during the collegiate postseason from March 7-April 9, which included a four-game goal run from March 7-28

8 – Produced eight multi-point efforts with North Dakota

3 – Tallied a hat trick on Jan. 3 against Mercyhurst, and totaled three points (1-2—3) on Jan. 24 at Arizona State

2 – Potted two goals on Oct. 17 against Minnesota, Nov. 7 at Nebraska-Omaha and Feb. 7 at Minnesota-Duluth

3 – Regular-season-high three-game goal streak from Jan. 17-24

5 – Registered five power-play goals with the Fighting Hawks

2 – Recorded two shorthanded goals with North Dakota