DETROIT >> Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, the Red Wings’ 2024 first-round draft pick, played in Sweden and Grand Rapids last season.

Two distinctly different styles, for sure — the Swedish Elite League and the American Hockey League. It didn’t take Brandsegg-Nygard long to decide that the AHL, and the North American professional game, is more suited to the way he plays.

“It’s a game I like to play, tight and physical hockey and a lot of power,” said Brandsegg-Nygard, a forward who turns 20 when training camp ends on Oct. 5. “That’s the game I want to play, so it’s fun.”

Watching Brandsegg-Nygard at the Wings’ recent development camp, and after his brief debut with the Griffins, the Wings are likely wondering how long it’ll take before Brandsegg-Nygard could be NHL-ready.

It may not be that long.

At 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, Brandsegg-Nygard had a pro body even when he was drafted 15th overall in 2024, and the fact he’s handled himself well physically playing against men much older is a positive sign.

Still, last season’s struggle, at least statistically, in the Swedish pro league (SHL), is a sign that Brandsegg-Nygard will need at least a little more seasoning in Grand Rapids in October.

Brandsegg-Nygard had five goals and 11 points in 42 games with Skelleftea, although his statistics rose in the playoffs, where he had four goals and six points in 11 games.

Speaking at the Wings’ development camp, Brandsegg-Nygard didn’t hide his disappointment with his SHL season.

“Tough season, I wasn’t too happy about it, but I learned a lot from it and (mostly) just to keep going,” Brandsegg-Nygard said. “I’m not used to not getting as many points as you really want. The team (Skelleftea) didn’t have a great season, so pretty tough. (You) feel like you don’t help them enough and you feel like you’re losing every game.

“You learn from it and get stronger in your mind.”

Though Brandsegg-Nygard was irritated with his lack of offensive production, the Wings were hardly disappointed overall with what they’ve seen of the promising prospect.

Dan Cleary, the Wings’ director of player development, says Brandsegg-Nygard checks off a lot of positives.

“He’s competitive, his skating has improved, his game looks good and he’s in good shape,” said Cleary. “He got a bit of a taste of it at the end of the season in Grand Rapids, and as the games went along, he got better and better.

“He has a got a good frame, a good mindset, a very competitive player.”

Brandsegg-Nygard, along with defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, joined Grand Rapids the last weekend of the regular season. Both played during the Griffins’ three-game loss to Texas in the first round of the playoffs.

Brandsegg-Nygard had no points in two regular-season games, but had two goals and one assist in the playoffs; he was one of the Griffins’ best players in the series. Again, the North American pro game, more physical and edgy, looked conducive to Brandsegg-Nygard’s strengths.

“It was a great experience to see the type of hockey,” Brandsegg-Nygard said. “It’s a fun hockey to play, a different hockey. I feel like you have to keep your speed all the way. That was a big difference for me. You’re so much closer to the net, too, so you feel like you c ould just shoot all over the place”.

“I feel like the longer I was there, I got more comfortable and learned more, so hopefully I’ll have a good season.”

A tremendous training camp might change things, but a stint in Grand Rapids seems likely. Especially with specific areas to Brandsegg-Nygard’s game that need progressing.

“My dream and my goal is to make the team (the Wings) and we’ll see what happens,” Brandsegg-Nygard said. “But I’m happy with GR too. I’ll do my best to make the team one day.

“I’m young, so I got to develop everything. But a few things I focus more on is my speed — to have a lot of speed, have quick turns. That’s what I’m focusing on this summer.”

The way Cleary sees it, Brandsegg-Nygard is capable of passing the AHL test and succeeding in the NHL.

“I expect him to come in — and of course there’s going to be some growing pains — but we’ve got great coaches (in Grand Rapids), and I’ll be down there quite a bit with him,” Cleary said. “He’s got a game that is built for this North American style.”

Brandsegg-Nygard displayed some maturity when asked about his overall experience at the recent development camp. Most young players talked about the thrill of meeting past Red Wings greats who served as coaches at the camp, or simply being awed by Little Caesars Arena and the creature comforts.

But Brandsegg-Nygard enjoyed another aspect of the camp.

“It’s always fun to meet the people that work here,” said Brandsegg-Nygard of the men and women behind the scenes. “A lot of the staff are just really fun to talk to, so I have a lot of fun.”

Wings sign No. 1 pick

The Wings announced Wednesday they’ve signed forward Carter Bear, the team’s first-round pick (13th overall) in June, to a three-year contract.

Bear (6-foot, 179 pounds) had 40 goals and 42 assists (82 points) playing for Everett (WHL) last season and earned a place on the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team.

In total, Bear has compiled 141 points (66 goals, 75 assists), a plus-53 rating and 103 penalty minutes in 142 WHL games with Everett since 2022-23.

Bear is expected to attend training camp with the Wings, then return to Everett to begin the WHL season.