Detroit Red Wings

His Swedish Season Over, Kasper Ready For Red Wings Adventure

Kasper ready to join Red Wings

Published

1 year ago

March 27, 2023

Bob Duff

Marco Kasper is ready to try to earn a spot with the Red Wings.

A 5-1 loss on Sunday to Skelleftea brought about an end to the SHL season for Rögle and left future Detroit Red Wings center Marco Kasper feeling somewhat maudlin.

There were mixed emotions as Kasper was coming to the realization that his SHL career was almost certainly coming to an end.

“I got really emotional in the dressing room when we walked around, hugged and said thank you for a good season,” Kasper told Expressen.se.

Rögle is eliminated from SHL playoffs after losing against Skellefteå in 6 games.

That marks the end of Marco Kasper's and William Wallinder's SHL seasons. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/6bG63qd4As

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) March 26, 2023

“I want to thank all my teammates, (GM) Chris (Abbott), (coach) Cam (Abbott) and the whole association for giving me the chance and being a part of this journey. It was incredibly fun to come here and it is a big part of my hockey career that I spent here.

“It also makes you very sad that it could be the last game here in Rögle. They are the best fans in Sweden.”

Kasper, 18, collected 8-15-23 totals in 52 games and a +7 rating while skating mostly as Rögle’s third-line center. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound Kasper also displayed an irascible side, leading the club with 72 penalty minutes.

“Right now I’m very sad that the season is over, but I’m still very happy that I got to play a good season here in Rögle,” Kasper said. “I still think that I have been able to develop throughout the season.”

Kasper Ready To Take Next Step With Red Wings

At the same time, Kasper is buzzing with excitement about the adventure that lay ahead of him – the chance to come to North America and seek to earn a spot with the Red Wings next season.

Kasper put his signature to an entry-level contract with Detroit not long after his name was called eighth overall in the 2022 NHL entry draft.

“I have a contract with Detroit and it will probably be that I try over there in North America,” Kasper said. “That’s the plan, anyway.”

More Schooling In His Future

The next hockey action on Kasper’s calendar will be suiting up for Austria in the upcoming world championship. But before that takes place, he has more lessons to learn.