The IIHF World Championship is heating up, and while the Detroit Red Wings may not have a heavy presence on the ice this year, there's still plenty of familiar faces—and a whole lot of nostalgia—for fans to cheer for.

As rosters continue to take shape, it looks like defenseman Albert Johansson of Sweden might be the only current Red Wing lacing up for the tournament. The team's young Swedish star got a warm welcome on social media, but don't expect a full Detroit takeover just yet.

Here's the thing: no additional Red Wings have been added to their respective national squads. Germany hasn't called on defenseman Moritz Seider, and Sweden hasn't added forwards Lucas Raymond or Simon Edvinsson. That's a bit of a bummer for fans hoping to see the team's young core shine on the international stage.

But there's a good reason for the absence of some prospects. Forwards Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (Norway) and Eduards Tralmaks (Latvia) are busy chasing a Calder Cup with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL playoffs. That's a solid trade-off—nothing beats playoff hockey.

As for the U.S. roster? USA Hockey has named seven NHLers so far, but none of them wear the Winged Wheel. Still, there's always a chance for a late addition.

Where the Red Wings really shine at this tournament is in the alumni department. Sweden is going deep with former Detroit players. Defenseman Robert Hagg, who played for the Wings in 2022-23, is on the blue line. Goalie Magnus Hellberg, who backstopped Detroit in 2021-22 and 2022-23, is also in the mix. And don't forget forward Jacob de la Rose, who suited up for 16 games with the Wings during the 2019-20 season.

One name that won't be on the Swedish roster? Forward Theodor Niederbach. A second-round pick by Detroit in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, he never signed an NHL contract and has been dropped from the squad.

Meanwhile, defenseman Filip Hronek—now with the Vancouver Canucks after his time with the Red Wings—will be representing his country. It's always fun to see former Wings players making an impact on the world stage.

So, while current Red Wings might be scarce at the Worlds, there's still plenty of Detroit hockey history to follow. Grab your favorite vintage Wings gear and get ready to cheer on the alumni. After all, once a Wing, always a Wing.