The Daily: USA Takes 2 Red Wings to WJC; Fedorov Honored

The Detroit Red Wings will have two team captains and the defending gold medal-winning goalie among their prospects at the upcoming World Junior Championships.

USA Hockey announced Thursday that goalie Trey Augustine is one of 10 Americans returning to defend last year’s WJC title. It had previously been announced that Red Wings prospect defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka will serve as captain for Sweden and feisty Detroit prospect Jesse Kiiskinen will be Finland’s captain.

The U.S. roster also includes Max Plante, the Minnesota-Duluth freshman left wing. He was Detroit’s second-round pick last June. He has put up six points in five games for the Bulldogs.

Kiiskinen was obtained from the Nashville swap, which sent defenseman Andrew Predators to the Predators. The Red Wings also received a second-round pick.

2025 WJC: Trey Augustine (@DetroitRedWings) ‘has another level of pedigree' for @usahockey ahead of World Juniors https://t.co/vHHar2hS5A

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) December 18, 2024

Detroit GM Steve Yzerman picked Augustine 41st overall in 2023, and he is in the midst of his second consecutive strong season at Michigan State.

The tournament will be played in Ottawa this year starting the day after Christmas. The Americans play a pre-tournament game against Slovakia Saturday in Kingston, Ont. They play another pre-tournament (against Finland) on Monday in Ottawa.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Sergei Fedorov‘s jersey is going up in the rafters, but it’s in Russia, not Detroit.

Red Wings return goalkeeper Ville Husso back to the Grand Rapids Griffins.

NHL GM believes former Red Wings player Igor Larionov would make an excellent NHL coach.

Red Wings Extra

The Red Wings are home tonight to play the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network) in the first game of a home-and-home. They play in Montreal Saturday. The Red Wings have won three of their last four, scoring 16 goals in those three victories.  Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin continue to lead the way offensively: Raymond has 20 points in 17 games dating to Nov. 13 and Larkin boasts 21 points in his past 22 games. Raymond also has 12 goals in the past 17 games. He has 84 career goals, tying him with the late Ted Lindsay for the fifth-most in franchise history for players 22 and under.  Steve Yzerman (164), Gordie Howe (113), Marcel Dionne (92) and Dylan Larkin (88) hold the first four spots.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: The Bruins placed veteran Tyler Johnson on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract. It was a free agent signing that didn’t work out. Boston Bruins.

Montreal: Marco D’Amico writes that the Alexandre Carrier addition may have set up the Canadians for another trade. Montreal Canadiens

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski writes that the Penguins have learned how to win with resilience and toughness. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: Sheng Peng reports that the Sharks have started negotiating a new contract with Fabian Zetterlund. San Jose Sharks.