Red Wings well represented at 2023 IIHF World Championship | PREVIEW

The 2023 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship begins Friday, with seven players representing the Detroit Red Wings set to compete at the annual tournament from May 12 - 28 in Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia.

This marks the 86th edition of the international competition, which features 16 countries split into two groups for a preliminary round-robin. Qualifying nations will advance to an eight-team, single-elimination playoff bracket to crown a champion.

More information about this year's tournament can be found here.

UNITED STATES

Carter Mazur, who was Detroit's 70th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, will suit up for Team USA.

After signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Red Wings on March 28, Mazur registered six points (three goals, three assists) in six games with the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins.

A native of Jackson, Mich., Mazur tallied 37 points on 22 goals and 15 assists in 40 games this past season at the University of Denver. The 21-year-old forward previously represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Detroit head coach Derek Lalonde is also set to serve as an assistant coach for the red, white and blue.

CANADA

Joe Veleno will join Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman, assistant coach Alex Tanguay and equipment manager Paul Boyer in representing Team Canada.

"Anytime you get the chance to represent the Maple Leaf for us Canadians, it's a huge honor," Veleno said. "It's always a pleasure. Anytime I can get that opportunity, more often than not, I'll take those tournaments. I think it'll be a good experience."

This past season, Veleno recorded nine goals and 11 assists in 81 games for the Red Wings. The 23-year-old forward has represented his country at several international competitions, including the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, where Canada captured a gold medal.

"It's going to be in a great country," Veleno said. "There is a lot to visit. My family will most likely be coming down and I'll get to spend time with them. I am really excited and looking forward to it."

Jake Walman, who was listed on Team Canada's initial tournament roster, will no longer participate due to an upper-body injury. This past season, Walman set career highs in goals (9), assists (9), points (18) and games played (63). The 27-year-old defenseman signed a three-year-contract extension with Detroit on March 1.

SWEDEN

Lucas Raymond will play for Team Sweden.

"There's always a big honor playing for your national team and your country," said Raymond, who had 17 goals and 28 assists in 74 games for Detroit this past season. "I feel good and I'm very excited. I wanna keep playing."

Raymond, who helped his country earn a bronze medal at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, will also be joined by fellow forward Jonatan Berggren.

Berggren made his NHL debut against the New York Rangers on Nov. 10 and compiled 15 goals and 13 assists in 67 games with the Red Wings. On the international stage, the 22-year-old has competed at three IIHF World Junior Championships (2020, 2018, 2017).

GERMANY

After playing all 82 games with Detroit for the second consecutive season, Moritz Seider said he wanted to rest his body and was planning not to participate at this year's tournament.

But on Monday, Team Germany announced that Seider will in fact appear in his fourth IIHF World Championship (2022, 2019, 2018).

In his second full NHL campaign, the 22-year-old blueliner earned 42 points on five goals and 37 assists.

FINLAND

Olli Maatta will feel right at home with Team Finland.

Maatta had six goals and 17 assists in 78 games this past season, his first with the Red Wings. The 28-year-old defenseman signed a three-year contract extension with the club on Feb. 16.

Maatta most recently won a silver medal with Finland at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Dominik Kubalik will suit up for Team Czech Republic.

The 27-year-old forward concluded his first year in Detroit with career highs in assists (25) and games played (81). Kubalik has suited up for his country at three IIHF World Championships (2021, 2019, 2018).