Xavier Ouellet will start the season on the third defensive pairing with Brendan Smith, the team's official site reports.

Ouellet will start the season on the third defensive pairing with Brendan Smith, the team's official site reports.

Analysis:

Ouellet played solid hockey for both the Grand Rapids Griffins and Red Wings last season, and has been rewarded for his efforts. He will likely become the seventh defenseman, however, when Danny DeKeyser returns from injury in a few weeks.