EliteProspects’ staff writes posted a set of previews of this year’s World Junior Championship teams, offering profiles of every player on the respective participating countries’ rosters.
Here are their takes on the Red Wings’ 2025 WJC participants.
Mitch Brown discusses Team USA…
Max Plante, LW, Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)
Detroit Red Wings, 2024 NHL Draft, second round, 47th overall
Healthy just in time, Max Plante could be an x-factor for this team. A defensively responsible playmaking winger, he’s has the skills to thrive in this setting. He never stops battling, creates chances from the areas of the rink, and then sprints back into the play to prevent chances the other way. On a team with plenty of play-drivers, he’ll likely find success in a complementary role.
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Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State (NCAA)
Detroit Red Wings, 2023 NHL Draft, second round, 41st overall
The starting goalie for Team USA for the third straight World Junior, Trey Augustine is making his final appearance in this tournament and has been one of the best goalies in college hockey at Michigan State the past two seasons. Augustine will play the big games, and it’s more of a question of who will dress as his back-up.
Lassi Alanen offers an assessment of the Finnish Lions…
Jesse Kiiskinen, RW, HPK (Liiga)
Detroit Red Wings (via trade), 2023 NHL Draft, third round, 68th overall
Jesse Kiiskinen‘s move to a smaller Liiga team last summer has proven to be the right call. Having the highest points-per-game mark among all U20 skaters in the league, he thrives in creating rush chances from counter-attacks and brings a lot of energy and pace to the lineup. Playmaking isn’t his strongest suit, but improvements are made little by little. Another gifted finisher, he’ll be competing with Hemming for a spot on the left flank of the second power play unit.
And Jimmy Hamrin offers an assessment of the Tre Kronor, a.k.a. the Swedish “Three Crowns“:
Axel Sandin-Pellikka – D, Skellefteå (SHL)
Detroit Red Wings, 2023 Draft, first round, 17th overall
Axel Sandin-Pellikka is one of the biggest stars going into the tournament and undoubtedly the best player on this team. He has dominated at the SHL level and his offensive skills are elite. His fantastic four-way mobility, puck handling and shot will be a dominant factor for Sweden’s offense. It will be interesting to see how he handles forechecking pressure on smaller ice as that might be a key on how fast he can step in at the NHL once he moves to North America. He can be prone to make mistakes there at the SHL level. His all-around defensive game is solid though and he plays with aggression and timing. I would be surprised if he isn’t an All-Star team selected defenseman at the end of the tournament.
