Red Wings Future on Display During WJSS

The World Junior Summer Showcase is an exciting opportunity for all of the participants, but for those who are Detroit Red Wings prospects, there’s the added personal touch of getting the chance to check out the place that could wind up being their NHL home.

Taking place at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, just a stone’s throw from Little Caesars Arena, world junior candidates from Canada, Sweden, Finland and the USA are participating in this event, which gets underway Friday and runs through August. 3.

The rosters include three Red Wings draft picks and a fourth prospect who’s a recent trade acquisition. Goalie Trey Augustine is back for this third kick at the world junior can, already with bronze and gold medals on his resume won with the USA, who are reigning champions.

“For me there’s nothing better than putting on the nation’s colors and being able to represent the United States, so I always love those opportunities,” Augustine said. “And to come back home with a gold medal . . . it’s super special.”

Plante’s Hockey IQ Praised

Taken 41st overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft, joining Augustine on the USA roster will be a pair of 2024 selections, forward Max Plante (47th overall) and defenseman John Whipple (144th overall).

Max Plante on the mic! 🎤 pic.twitter.com/UH5fSOdNPp

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 6, 2024

Plante is the son of former NHL forward Derek Plante. Not surprisingly, growing up in a hockey environment, Plante’s hockey IQ is off the charts.

“Max is one of the smartest players I’ve ever played with,” said fellow Red Wings draftee Austin Baker. “His vision is really good. Super poised with the puck.”

Baker was teammates with both Plante and Whipple in the USNTDP, so he’s well-versed in the capabilities of both players.

“John’s a super strong kid, super hard to play against when going against him in practice,” Baker said of Whipple. “Seeing him in games, he’ll crush people.

“I definitely wouldn’t want to go against him on the other team.”

Red Wings Fans Get First Look At Kiiskinen

The fourth Red Wings prospect who will be skating in the tournament is Finland winger Jesse Kisskinen. He was recently acquired from Nashville in the trade that sent defenseman Andrew Gibson to the Predators.

Preds’ 68th overall pick Jesse Kiiskinen on his game and the NHL players he most enjoys to watch. pic.twitter.com/fbUmpKinPQ

— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) June 29, 2023

Detroit is well-stocked in defensemen, but shy of wingers in their prospect talent pool. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman felt that was an appeal to being able to add Kiiskinen to their depth chart.

“We were able to acquire in a trade with Nashville a similar same-level prospect – at least on our board – for Andrew Gibson in Jesse Kiiskinen,” Yzerman said. “I didn’t really want to trade Andrew Gibson but we were able to recoup a prospect and get a pick that we used to move out a contract (Jake Walman).”