The 2026 Detroit High School Sports Awards, Presented by Gift of Life Michigan, is proud to announce Detroit Red Wings center Andrew Copp as the guest speaker at this year’s live event.
The show, which will celebrate high school athletes, coaches and teams from all over the Detroit area, is June 24 at Motorcity Casino Hotel. Tickets to the event may be purchased here.
Born July 8, 1994, in Ann Arbor, Copp was immersed in the sport from the start, his mother coached figure skating and his father coached youth hockey. Growing up near the University of Michigan and the U.S. National Team Development Program, he developed into a smart, two-way forward with leadership qualities that set him apart early.
Copp played three seasons at the University of Michigan, eventually serving as team captain, before being drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut late in the 2014–15 season and quickly carved out a role as a reliable, defensively responsible center. Over eight seasons with Winnipeg, Copp steadily improved, evolving from a checking-line player into a versatile contributor capable of scoring and playing in all situations.
In 2021–22, Copp enjoyed a breakout year, splitting time between the Jets and the New York Rangers, where he posted career-high numbers and played a key role in a deep playoff run. That performance led to a significant opportunity in July 2022, when he signed a five-year, $28.125 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings—his hometown team growing up.
With Detroit, Copp has become an important veteran presence, contributing consistent offense, such as a 42-point season in 2022–23, and leadership during the team’s rebuild. This past season, in 79 games, Copp had nine goals and 43 points.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Red Wings’ Andrew Copp is guest speaker for Detroit H.S. Sports Awards
Reporting by Todd M. Adams, USA TODAY High School Sports / USA TODAY High School Sports Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
