Red Wings well-represented at 2022 IIHF World Championship

The Detroit Red Wings will be well-represented at the 2022 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship beginning Friday in Finland.

Seven players who suited up for the Red Wings this season are set to dress for their respective countries in the international tournament, which will be held from May 13-29.
Here's who to keep an eye on throughout the 17-day competition.

UNITED STATES

Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic and forward Riley Barber will represent the red, white and blue.
"Anytime you get to represent your country, it's a great honor, it's a special opportunity," Nedeljkovic said. "At any level - Olympics, World Championship, World Juniors - whatever it is, I think it is a great honor and I think everybody should take advantage of it if they have the opportunity to do so."
Nedeljkovic finished his first season in Detroit with a 20-24-9 record, posting a 3.31 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. The 26-year-old had four shutouts, the most by a Red Wings rookie netminder in a season since Roger Crozier posted six in 1964-65.
Barber, who skated in four games for the Red Wings this season, tallied 28 goals and 25 assists in 49 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, ending the year with a career-high 17-game point streak and earning AHL Player of the Month honors in April.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Forward Jakub Vrána and defenseman Filip Hronek will suit up for Team Czech Republic.
Vrána made his 2021-22 season debut against the Arizona Coyotes on March 8 after suffering a shoulder injury during training camp that required surgery. The 26-year-old earned 13 goals and six assists in just 26 games for the Red Wings this season.
As for Hronek, he finished his fourth season in Detroit with career-highs in assists (33), points (38) and games played (78).

GERMANY

Defenseman Moritz Seider will play for Team Germany.
Seider, who is one of the three finalists for the 2022 Calder Memorial Trophy, led all rookies in assists (43), power-play points (21), average time on ice (23:02) and was one of only three first-year skaters to play all 82 games this season.
The 21-year-old also paced all rookie blueliners with 50 points.

SWEDEN

Magnus Hellberg, the Red Wings' recently signed netminder, will suit up for Sweden.
"You always want to play and to have an opportunity to represent your country," Hellberg said. "It is something I value really high. When I get the chance to do that, of course I'm really excited about it."
The 31-year-old made his Red Wings debut in Detroit's regular-season finale on April 29, finishing with 20 saves in a 5-3 road win over the New Jersey Devils.
Also representing Team Sweden is Red Wings prospect Elmer Söderblom, Detroit's sixth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old forward had 21 goals in 52 games for Frölunda in the Swedish Hockey League this season.

SWITZERLAND

Forward Pius Suter will represent his native Switzerland for the 2022 World Championship. The 25-year-old finished his second NHL season and first in Detroit with 15 goals and 36 points in 82 games.
More information about the tournament format, participating countries and full schedule can be found at
iihf.com
.