"Selected 41st overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Detroit was pleased to see that he had slipped through the first round, picking him up with one of the their two, second-round selections.
Blessed with exceptional on-ice vision, playmaking ability and stick skills, the Red Wings envision Emmerton to be a future top-six forward when he eventually makes the jump to the big leagues.
However, when first selected by the Wings, assistant GM, Jim Nill, felt his biggest weakness was his size, believing the six-foot one-inch, 177 pound centerman needed to bulk up to endure the rigors of professional hockey.
It appears that the message has gotten to Emmerton as he came into this years prospect camp more man than boy, having packing on 15lbs of muscle.
"I've been very impressed," Nill said. "He's come back here and I think he's a totally refocused guy. He's in great condition. "He looks like a man now. After coming to all these camps and playing junior, you can see the steps.
"He's taken it to the next level."
Detroit’s brass has high expectations for the slick forward who has drawn comparisons to the Florida Panthers Cory Stillman.
With his junior career firmly behind him, Emmerton will suit up with the Wings AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, for the upcoming 2008-09 season. And from all accounts it appears that he’s prepared to make his breaks instead of waiting for them.
"I talked to Ken Holland and he said, 'It's up to you how fast you get yourself to the next level,'" Emmerton said. "He talked about how everyone has something that separates themselves from everyone else.
"As long as you do what you need to do, they'll play whoever they need to. They want to win.
Only time will tell if Cory can embrace this opportunity and make the most of it."
