DETROIT – When it comes to Detroit Red Wings-related inspiratinal stories, it’ll be tough to top Dominik Shine’s tale of perseverance in realizing a dream.

After getting by on minor league hockey contracts for nine seasons, former Pinckney student Dominik Shine made his NHL debut at age 31 with Detroit.

Grand Rapids Griffins forward Dominik Shine was heading to buy skates for his 21-month-year-old son Connor when he received the call he believed was never going to come.

After nine long seasons as a pro, Dominik Shine finally got his chance to, well … shine on hockey’s biggest stage.

DETROIT, Mich. (WLUC) - Former NMU hockey star Dominik Shine made his NHL debut for the Detroit Red Wings Monday night at the age of 31. Shine was the oldest skater to debut in the league since 2015. The Lower Michigan native played in 131 games for the Wildcats from 2013-2017, serving as their assistant captain during his junior and senior year.

Detroit Red Wings forward Dominik Shine made his NHL debut on Monday night after the Red Wings signed the Michigan native to a two-year contract. The deal is for the remainder of this season and the 2025-26 campaign.

Dominik Shine had accepted this day might not be in the cards. There was a point last season, after the birth of his first child, that Shine had even thought about hanging up his skates — thinking about the demanding travel schedule of the American Hockey League and how much he would be away from his family.

The feel-good story surrounding the Red Wings currently looks like it's going to stay around a bit longer. Dominik Shine, who made his NHL debut at age 31 in Monday's victory over Los Angeles, appears to be staying at least for the start of the Wings' upcoming four-game road trip Thursday in Edmonton.

With Patrick Kane landing on injured reserve, the Wings needed a forward for Monday night’s game. Shine’s trip to Perani’s would have to wait.