Red Wings prospect Marco Kasper wins top award

Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings made the call to select help on the offensive side of the puck by taking Austrian-born center Marco Kasper with the No. 8 overall selection in Day 1 of last year's 2022 NHL Draft. It wouldn't be long before they'd sign him to a three year entry level contract. 

And thanks to his efforts this season while suiting up for Rogle BK as well as on the international stage for his native Austria, he's been named the 2022 Austrian Player of the Year....and is also the youngest player ever to win the award.

"Well, he probably can play all three forward positions, but we drafted him as a counterman," Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman explained shortly after the pick was made. "We think he has underrated skill and has the ability to play in our top 6. One day, I can't tell you if it's next year or if it's the year after, but we have high hopes for him and we are very excited to pick him."

It was earlier this month that Red Wings assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff stated that the team expects Kasper to make the jump to North America next season: