Red Wings prospects to compete in 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship

DETROIT -- The 2022 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship begins on Tuesday at Rogers Place in Edmonton with plenty of Detroit Red Wings representation.

Nine Red Wings prospects will dress for their respective countries in the international tournament, which will be held from Aug. 9 - 20.
The competition was originally scheduled for Dec. 26 - Jan. 5 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. After four days of play, the tournament was postponed due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
Here's who to watch out for throughout the 10-team event:

UNITED STATES

Forwards Carter Mazur and Red Savage will represent Team USA.
Mazur, who was Detroit's 70th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft,
concluded his freshman campaign at the University of Denver with 14 goals and 24 assists in 41 games, helping the Pioneers win the 2022 NCAA Championship while garnering NCHC Rookie of the Year honors.
As for Savage, the Red Wings' 114th overall pick in 2021, he had six goals and 10 assists in 35 games with Miami University (OH) last season, finishing as Miami Hockey's Rookie of the Year.

CANADA

Goalie Sebastian Cossa and defenseman Donovan Sebrango will suit up for Team Canada.
Last season,
Cossa compiled a 33-9-3 record with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage in 46 games with the Western Hockey League's Edmonton Oil King
, finishing as the Central Division nominee for the Del Wilson Memorial Trophy as the WHL Goaltender of the Year.
"There's a lot that comes with it, putting on the Team Canada jersey, a lot of expectations," Cossa
told NHL.com on Dec. 31.
"You go out and try to represent your country and play well for them."
Last Tuesday, Sebrango was named an alternate captain for his native country. Sebrango, drafted 63rd overall by Detroit in 2020, tallied one goal and six assists in 65 games in 2021-22 for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

SWEDEN

Blueliners Simon Edvinsson and William Wallinder will play for Team Sweden.
Edvinsson had two goals and 17 assists in 44 games last season with Frolunda HC's Swedish Hockey League team
. The Red Wings' sixth overall pick in 2021, Edvinsson was also named a finalist for the SHL Rookie of the Year.
Wallinder, who was Detroit's 32nd overall pick in 2020, led all U20 SHL defensemen in 2021-22 with 19 points in 47 games with Rogle BK.
Also representing Sweden is forward Theodor Niederbach, who was Detroit's 51st overall pick in 2020. In his second campaign with Frolunda HC, Niederbach recorded nine goals and seven assists in 51 games.

FINLAND

Defenseman Eemil Viro will represent his native Finland. The Red Wings' 70th overall pick in 2020,
Viro earned three goals and four assists in 52 games last season with TPS Turku of the SM-Liiga
, Finland's most elite league.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Netminder Jan Bednar will suit up for Team Czech Republic.
Bednar, who was selected 107th overall by Detroit in 2020, posted a 28-14-4 record with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in 47 games with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Acadie-Bathurst.
More information about the tournament format, participating countries and full schedule can be found at
iihf.com.