Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings Keep Medal Streak Going at Worlds
Three Detroit players win bronze with Sweden
For the second straight IIHF World Championship, Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond is finishing the tournament with a bronze medal. And for the seventh straight season, a Red Wings player is leaving the event with a medal dangling around their neck.
On the one hand, it’s an impressive streak. On the other hand, it’s a sad indictment of how long it’s been since this team was participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“It’s been an unreal experience, playing in front of your home country fans with family and friends in the stands,” Raymond told IIHF.com. “It’s been amazing.
“But obviously it’s tough to look back and not feel disappointed. That’s the reality. That’s hockey, and we move on.”
On home ice, Sweden lost to the USA in the semifinals.
In the bronze medal game, Raymond netted a shorthanded goal as Sweden bounced Denmark 6-2. He finished the tournament with 5-6-11 totals.
The hosts in a battle for bronze 💪🥉#MensWorlds #IIHF @trekronorse @dkishockey pic.twitter.com/QtCt1gC1HF
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 25, 2025
Afterward, Raymond was effusive in his praise of the plucky Danes, co-hosts of the event with Sweden. Denmark stunned Canada 2-1 in the quarter-finals. That’s arguably the biggest upset in international hockey since the USA beat the Soviet Union 4-3 in the so-called Miracle On Ice at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement,” Raymond said. “Playing against that Canadian team, beating them on home ice, I think that’s unbelievable. Probably one of the greatest Cinderella story games that I can remember.”
Former Red Wings defenseman Andreas Lilja, a Stanley Cup winner in Detroit in 2007-08, is an assitant coach with the Danish national team.
Three Medals For Red Wings
Raymond Red Wings defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who was critical of his usage by the Swedish coaching staff, counted an assist in the bronze medal game. He finished the tourney with seven assists. Detroit defenseman Simon Edvinsson also was part of Sweden’s third-place aquad.
Lucas Raymond with @trekronorse’s fourth! 💪🔥 #MensWorlds #IIHF pic.twitter.com/s21HeL9XZE
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 25, 2025
The world tourney medal streak by Red Wings players began in 2018. Also with Sweden, Gustav Nyquist won a gold medal that year.
In 2019, Anthony Mantha won a silver medal with Canada. The 2020 IIHF World Championship was canceled due to COVID-19.
When the even resumed in 2021, Red Wings defenseman Troy Stecher would help the Canadian team garner a gold medal. In 2022, both Jakub Vrana and Filip Hronek won gold medals with the Czech Republic.
The 2023 event saw Joe Veleno win a gold medal winner with Canada, while Moritz Seider helped Germany win silver, the country’s first world tournament medal since 1953.
