Kasper Well-Schooled on Feats of Red Wings Previous Austrian Star

When it comes to Austrian NHL players, the current Detroit Red Wings player from there is well aware of the accomplishments of the other player from his homeland to play for the team.

Well he might not have witnessed any of Tomas Vanek’s accomplishments in person, Marco Kasper is well-versed on what Tomas Vanek means to Austria’s hockey legacy.

“He was an awesome player,” Kasper told IIHF.com about Vanek. “He could score any way – tips, in front. Any way.

“To be honest, he’s probably a little bit too old for me and our group to watch, but it was amazing the success that he had. It shows us the way with the career that he had, along with Michael Raffl and Michael Grabner.”

Among Austrian hockey players, there’s Vanek and then there’s everyone else. He’s played more games (1,029) scored more goals (373) and collected more points (789) than any other NHL player from his homeland.

Marco Kasper getting things started for Austria! 👏#MensWorlds #IIHF pic.twitter.com/tD1fdh3Bh3

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 16, 2025

No other Austrian NHLer has accounted for more than 175 goals or 276 points. Granted, it’s a small sample size. Kasper and Vanek are among 17 Austrian-born players to skate in at least one NHL game.

Kasper is climbing the list quickly. With 19-18-37 totals from 78 games with the Red Wings, he’s already fifth all-time among Austrian NHL scorers. He’s currently pacing the Austrian team at the IIHF World Championship in goals (four) and points (five). Austria is tied for fifth in Group A with Slovakia.

Vanek Enjoyed Two Red Wings Stints

As an NHLer, Vanek was an 11-time 20-goal scorer. He scored a career-high 43 goals with the Buffalo Sabres in 2006-07. That was one of two 40-goal campaigns he assembled. He also scored at least 30 goals in two other seasons.

Vanek with the redirect to tie things up for the @DetroitRedWings! 🚨 🚨 #DETvsNYR pic.twitter.com/eABL6ncJRj

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) October 20, 2016

Vanek first joined the Red Wings for the 2016-17 season. He accounted for 15-23-38 totals in 48 games prior to an NHL trade deadline move to the Florida Panthers. He rejoined Detroit as an unrestricted free agent again for the 2018-19 season, his last in the NHL. Vanek was good for 16-20-36 numbers in 64 games.

“I loved it there,” Vanek said of his time with the Red Wings. “It was a good fit. I really liked the whole culture of the organization.”