
Detroit’s young stars bring Motown grit to the 2025 IIHF World Championship
DETROIT — The 2024–25 NHL season came to a bitter end for the Detroit Red Wings, as the team finished with a 39–35–8 record, once again falling short of a coveted playoff berth. For a ninth straight season, the Winged Wheel watches the postseason from the sidelines — but the story doesn’t end there.
Instead of retreating into the shadows of another missed opportunity, several Red Wings are stepping into the international spotlight with pride and purpose.
Moritz Seider (Germany), Lucas Raymond (Sweden), and Marco Kasper (Austria) have laced up their skates for their national teams in the 2025 IIHF World Championship — showcasing not only their talent but also the relentless work ethic that defines Detroit hockey. Their presence on the international stage is a powerful reminder that while the rebuild continues in Motown, its foundation is rich with rising stars.
Perhaps the most resounding voice amid this transition belongs to captain Dylan Larkin, who, while not participating in the tournament, has become an outspoken advocate for international play. Larkin has urged his American teammates — and players across the NHL — to embrace the opportunity to represent their countries.
> “There’s no substitute for the pride you feel wearing your nation’s colors,” Larkin said. “These tournaments build character, chemistry, and confidence. For us in Detroit, it’s part of building toward something bigger.”
Larkin’s leadership off the ice may be just as crucial as his presence on it. While the Red Wings continue their climb back to contention, the experience gained on the world stage could be the spark that propels this core into a new era.
With the eyes of the hockey world watching, Seider, Raymond, and Kasper aren’t just playing for medals — they’re representing the heart of a team and a city hungry for resurgence.
One thing is clear: Detroit may be out of the NHL playoffs, but their players are far from finished.