The Detroit Red Wings have plenty of reasons to be excited about international hockey this spring, as two of their own—veteran defenseman Justin Faulk and rising star prospect Max Plante—are representing Team USA at the 2026 IIHF Men's World Championship.

Faulk, who was acquired from the St. Louis Blues in March, has already made an impression off the ice, being named captain of the American squad. On the ice, he backed up that leadership with a smooth assist on Ryker Lee's first-period goal in Sunday's exhibition opener against Team Germany.

But the night's biggest highlight for Red Wings fans came from Plante, the electrifying forward who just won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA hockey. Early in the third period, Plante showed his trademark tenacity and skill, picking up a rebound after a beautiful pass set up a near-miss and burying it to give Team USA a commanding lead. The goal was a perfect snapshot of why Detroit took him 47th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Plante's college season was nothing short of spectacular. Leading the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs with 25 goals and 52 points, he became the seventh player in school history to claim the Hobey Baker Award. He's already announced his intention to return to the Bulldogs for another season, meaning Red Wings fans will have to wait just a little longer to see him in a professional jersey—but if this game is any indication, the wait will be worth it.

Team USA skated to a 5-2 victory over Germany in this lone exhibition tune-up, setting the stage for the tournament proper. The World Championship begins May 15 and runs through May 31 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. With Faulk anchoring the blue line and Plante adding firepower up front, the Red Wings' presence in this tournament is one more reason for Detroit fans to tune in and dream about the future.