USA goaltending at Worlds has distinctive Red Wings feel xuanmai

A former, current and future Detroit Red Wings goaltender will be manning the nets for the United States at the World Championship, trying to help Team USA win its first gold medal since 1960.

Alex Lyon, coming off a solid first season with club, was the first goalie named to the squad. Trey Augustine, the 41st pick in last year’s draft who is coming off his freshman season at Michigan State, joined the team on Sunday. Then Alex Nedeljkovic, who spent two seasons in the organization from 2021-2023 before playing this past season in Pittsburgh, joined the roster on Tuesday.

The Americans open the tournament Friday against Sweden in Ostrava, Sweden (2:20 p.m., ET, NHL Network).

This is the second time Lyon has been selected to Team USA for the Worlds. He was the third goalie, behind Connor Hellebuyck and Jack Campbell, in 2015 following his sophomore season at Yale. He didn’t appear in any games. This time, he could be main man in net.

“I would love to maybe have a bigger hand in that,” Lyon said after the season. “It’s always an honor and even to get asked is an honor. I take that pretty serious.”

Lyon stopped 17-of-19 shots through two periods Tuesday in a 6-2 pre-tournament victory over Slovakia. Augustine stopped all four shots he faced in the third period.

Red Wings defenseman Jeff Petry joins a blueline corps that features Zach Werenski (Columbus), Seth Jones (Chicago), Luke Hughes (New Jersey), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa), Alex Vlasic (Chicago), Matthew Kessel (St. Louis) and Michael Kesselring (Arizona).

Petry, 36, has appeared in this event three times, from 2012-2014, playing in 25 games (two goals, seven assists) and winning a bronze medal in 2013.

Detroit captain Dylan Larkin withdrew last week due to an unspecified injury.

Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said after the season he fully supports any of his players participating in this tournament.

“I played in them, I’ve been a part of them in management,” Yzerman said. “I think they’re great opportunities for guys, great experiences. To play international hockey is a lot of fun. To get a chance to win a gold medal is very exciting.”

Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde is serving as an assistant under head coach John Hynes (Minnesota) and Alex Westlund is the goalie coach.

The U.S. won the bronze medal in 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2021. The Americans have lost in the bronze medal game in each of the past two years.

The Olympics were also considered as the World Championship in 1960 when the U.S. won the gold in Squaw Valley, Calif.

Raymond, Maatta participating

Lucas Raymond (Sweden) and Olli Maatta (Finland) are the only other Red Wings at the World Championship.

Raymond had two goals and six assists in eight games for Sweden at last year’s World Championship, his first appearance in the event. The Swedes haven’t medaled since winning back-to-back golds in 2017 and 2018.

Raymond, a restricted free agent up for a huge contract extension this summer, needed to secure an insurance policy in case of injury before committing.

Maatta played in the 2021 and 2023 Worlds, appearing in 18 games (no goals, seven assists) and winning the silver medal in 2021.