Red Wings sign Ondrej Becher to three-year, entry-level contract

On Tuesday, the Detroit Red Wings announced they signed forward Ondrej Becher to a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal is pro-rated for the 2024-25 season and will expire after the 2026-27 campaign.

Becher is officially being assigned to the Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Becher was taken by Detroit in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft. He made the immediate jump to the pro ranks, joining the Griffins on an amateur tryout agreement, joining fellow Czech native Jakub Rychlovksy.

The 20-year-old has appeared in 19 of the Griffins’ first 30 games of the season, scoring his first North American pro goal on Nov. 24 against the Iowa Wild, the primary affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. Becher has totaled a goal and three points thus far, though he hasn’t posted a point in his last seven games. He also has a plus/minus of -4 with six penalty minutes in Grand Rapids.

Prior to being drafted, Becher became one of the Western Hockey League’s top scorers. The Ostrava native played two seasons for the Prince George Cougars, posting a career-high 96 points last season, good for second on the team and 13th in the WHL. Becher’s 64 assists were good for ninth in the league.

Becher also has experience representing his country. He played for Team Czechia at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring three goals and 10 points in seven points. Along with current Buffalo Sabres forward Jiří Kulich, the Czechs were able to stun Canada in the quarterfinals before beating Finland to claim the bronze medal.

Becher also played for Czechia at the 2022 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship.