Red Wings prospect Donovan Sebrango spoke with DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills earlier today regarding winning a gold medal with Team Canada’s 2022 World Junior Championship team, where Sebrango served as an alternate captain:
According to Sebrango, making the most of his time with Detroit’s American Hockey League-affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins last season prepared him to wear the ‘A.’
“Most of those guys are trying to make steps in the AHL next year,” said Sebrango, who had seven points (1-6-7) in 65 games with the Griffins in 2021-22. “Giving them my experience helped a lot. And with my experience playing a bit of professional hockey, that probably helped calm the team down a bit in stressful situations.”
Sebrango added that seeing his mother and grandmother watching from the stands throughout the tournament was extra special.
“Having them there helped me realize it wasn’t as stressful,” he said. “You look up in the crowd and you see them, then you are trying to win the gold medal and you do, then sharing that moment with my mom was probably the most special moment of my life.”
Sebrango wasn’t the only Red Wings prospect to take home hardware. Goalie Sebastian Cossa, who won his only appearance for Canada after stopping 22 shots in a 5-2 victory over Latvia on Aug. 10, also won gold. Defenseman Eemil Viro of Finland earned silver, while forward Theodor Niederbach and blueliners Simon Edvinsson and William Wallinder helped Sweden win bronze.
“It looks promising for Detroit to have all those guys there and be as good as they are,” Sebrango said. “Detroit is on the rise now. I was really impressed with how we did throughout the tournament. It’s an exciting time to be a Detroit Red Wing.”
