Red Wings Prospect Ejected From World Tourney Game

The scouting report on 2024 Detroit Red Wings first-round draft pick Michael Brandsegg-Nygard was that his style of play was going to suit him well in the North American game.

Saturday, there was ample evidence being offered that MBN’s game isn’t well-suited for the European game.

Nearing the midway point of Saturday’s game against Denmark at the IIHF World Championship, Norway’s Brandsegg-Nygard was assessed a major for interference and a game misconduct. Going into the corner to retrieve the puck, Brandsegg-Nygard delivered a reverse hit to Danish defenseman Anders Koch. His arm did appear to come out and connect slightly with Koch’s head, but it certainly wasn’t a deliberate shot by Brandsegg-Nygard.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård with a Kronwall type hit. 5 minute major for interference and a game misconduct. Get this guy to North America he’s not built for European hockey. Canadian broadcast doesn’t even think it’s a penalty. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/dljrJp7sLP

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) May 17, 2025

Was it an interference penalty? Probably. Would it have been a major in the NHL? Absolutely not.

During his late-season stint with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, even Brandsegg-Nygard was allowing that his game was definitely working well on the smaller ice and more rugged style of North American hockey.

From a hard-fought point to shared NHL dreams, these two are pushing forward — for each other, and for Norway. 💪🇳🇴 #MensWorlds #IIHF @norskishockey pic.twitter.com/dj9lfTRXyH

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 17, 2025

“I feel like I’m getting better and have the American mindset,” which he described as, “just get the puck north and get it to the net.”

Red Wings player development director Dan Cleary is also seeing those important North American habits coming to the fore in Brandsegg-Nygard’s play.

“Watching him play, you can see he’s strong, protecting the puck, he can shoot it very well,” Cleary said.

Red Wings Raymond Leads Swedes

Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond scored the game winner and added an assist as Sweden improved to 6-0. The Swedes were posting a 4-0 shutout of France. It was the third shutout of the tournament for the Swedes.

Detroit defenseman Erik Gustafsson also dished out an assist. He now has six assists in six games.

Elswhere, Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Germany fell 6-3 to the USA. Seider played 23:56 during the game. Even though the Germans surrendered six goals, he was even for the night.

Detroit prospect Eduards Tralmaks and Latvia were dropping a 2-1 decision to Finland.