Detroit Red Wings prospect Marco Kasper reflects on growth, eyes future

DETROIT -- Marco Kasper knew that if he was ever going to reach his goal of becoming a professional hockey player, he would need to step out of his comfort zone.

So as a 16-year-old, Kasper left his native Austria to play for Rogle BK in the Swedish Hockey League.
"It was a difficult decision to leave home and leave my family," said Kasper,
who was the Red Wings' eighth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
"But it's been a good decision to go play in a better league that has better competitors. That's why I left home."
Playing against stronger, faster skaters and moving to a new country were adjustments for Kasper, but the 18-year-old said he leaned on his family during difficult times.
"They're really supportive," Kasper said about his parents. "They've always helped me. I can call them at any time of the day. It's been really good, and they still help me a lot."

Buoyed by his support system and self-confidence, Kasper handled himself well in the SHL last season by tallying seven goals and four assists in 46 regular-season games. He also recorded six points and a plus-4 rating in 13 postseason contests, helping Rogle BK reach the SHL Semifinals.
Prior to joining Rogle BK, Kasper collected 13 points in 12 games for the club's Jr.-20 team, including a goal and two helpers in a playoff game.
When reflecting on his first full season in the SHL, Kasper said he learned a lot about specifics within the game.
"I think we play a fast-paced game," he said. "(We) try to get out of the o-zone fast and go and get the puck deep, and then work in the offensive zone as much as possible to create scoring chances from there. It's been great playing there."
As a result of embracing Rogle's system and structure, Kasper feels he is a better player than who he was before the 2021-22 campaign.
"I think I've developed over the year," Kasper said. "We always have a really good team in Rogle, so I think just trying to fit into the team again (this season), trying to do our best as a team and taking responsibilities too."
The 6-foot-1, 183-pound prospect added that Sweden's top pro league is "really structured."
"Really good players in that league," he said. "It's really hard to play there because of the structure and focus on the defensive game."

Last month, Kasper focused on evolving all aspects of his game while participating in the Red Wings' 2022 Development Camp.
"It's called Development Camp," Kasper said. "I think it's taking in all the information that we can get by skating on the ice and in all the meetings."
And after signing a three-year entry-level contract with Detroit on July 13
, Kasper is excited to build on his time with Detroit's player development staff as he continues chasing his professional hockey dream.
"I just wanna get better at details," Kasper said. "And for sure get stronger and faster."