Following his collegiate career, forward Kienan Draper made his professional debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins on April 15 at the Iowa Wild and finished the AHL season with two games. On April 12, Draper signed his first pro contract, a two-year deal with the Griffins that will begin in the 2026-27 season. 

As a senior at the University of Michigan, Draper served as an alternate captain and posted 18 points (5-13—18), 59 penalty minutes and a plus-21 rating in 40 outings. In addition to winning his second Big Ten Tournament title, he notched collegiate career highs in games played, points, assists, penalty minutes and plus-minus rating. Draper and the Wolverines ultimately fell to the eventual national champions, the Denver Pioneers, in the Frozen Four. 

Regular Season Stat Line

34 GP, 4 goals, 10 assists, 14 points, +17 rating, 57 PIM with UofM
2 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, -1 rating, 0 PIM with GRG

Postseason Stat Line

6 GP, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, +4 rating, 2 PIM with UofM

Contract Status 

Under contract by Grand Rapids through the 2027-28 season 

By the Numbers 

12 – Signed his first pro contract on April 12, a two-year deal with the Griffins that will begin in the 2026-27 season

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

2 – Posted two points on Jan. 10 against Notre Dame (0-2—2) and on Feb. 6 against Michigan State (1-1—2)

3 – Season-high three points (1-2—3) Oct. 17 against Robert Morris 

2 – Logged three different two-game point streaks from Nov. 21-22 (1-1—2), Nov. 29-Dec. 5 (0-2—2), and Jan. 9-10 (1-2—3)  

17 – Season-high 17 penalty minutes on Feb. 27 against Minnesota

6 – Lone shorthanded goal of the season on Feb. 6 against Michigan State 

Newsworthy

Following completion of collegiate career, Kienan Draper excited to continue hockey journey with Griffins | Detroit Red Wings

From campus to the pros: AHL teams adding talent for stretch run | TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League 

Photo at top by Iowa Wild