This isn’t Marco Kasper’s first IIHF World Championship, but things have changed a bit since his debut in 2022. Back then, the 18-year-old was three months from being drafted by the Detroit Red Wings and, despite showing the talent that would make him a first-rounder, ended the tournament with seven games. His Austrian team came from behind in its last game to beat Great Britain and avoid relegation.

This time around, Kasper is the team’s go-to guy and, after five games, leads the team with four goals and five points, following a two-goal performance in a 5-2 win over France.

But despite that, he doesn’t feel any pressure to carry the team as its only current NHL player.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure,” he said. “We’ve got a great group of guys, a great mentality for our national team and we just play together, stick together and that’s what makes us a great team.”

The win over France gives Austria five points after five games. The team put a scare into Finland and Sweden but came away with no points, then beat Slovakia in a shootout and lost 5-1 to Canada. On the last day of the group stage, Austria faces Latvia in a game that might decide which team advances.

“Oh, we’re not thinking that far ahead,” Kasper said when the quarterfinals were brought up. “We’ve played five games but there’s still two games to be played. We’re just taking it day-by-day. I think it’s the whole team’s effort that’s given us these wins, so we’ve just gotta keep doing that and we’ll see where that takes us.”

Indeed, Kasper wasn’t on last year’s Austrian team that was a win away from advancing but lost its last game to already-relegated Great Britain, but he’s aware of it. With that in mind, the Austrians won’t be looking past Slovenia on Saturday.

But no pressure, of course. These are big games, but Kasper still enjoyed playing against his heroes Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon on Thursday, and returning to Sweden, where he played from age 16 to 19, getting his first taste of pro hockey with Rögle.

“I had a great time here,” he said. “I went to school here too for three years, so it’s always good to be back in Sweden.”

Marco Kasper And Austrians Hope To Take Another Step Last year, Austria nearly made the quarterfinals for the first time since 1994 and had a flair for the dramatic. <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/marco-rossi-after-comeback-vs-canada-in-50-years-ill-think-back-on-that-game">The Austrians erased a 6-1 deficit in the third period against Canada</a>, ultimately losing 7-6 in overtime, and also had a comeback win over Finland on a last-second goal. Then, needing a win to advance, they <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/international/players/benjamin-baumgartner-for-austria-its-frustrating">inexplicably dropped their last game to Great Britain, 4-2</a>.

As much as he’s glad to be playing for Austria, this was supposed to be the year that the Red Wings were finally able to break through and make the playoffs. Although they didn’t, it was a solid rookie season from a personal standpoint, recording 37 points in 77 NHL games.

“It was an up-and-down season,” he said. “Even though we didn’t reach the playoffs, I think we played pretty good hockey at the end there. I think we’ve just gotta keep working hard and win more.”

He’s hopeful for better things next year for both himself and his team, and doesn’t take playing in the NHL for granted, either.

“Playing against the best players in the world every game is a cool experience and to be part of a great organization like the Red Wings, I’m happy to be there and I hope to stay there many more years.”

Filip Forsberg: ‘You Can Talk [Crap] About Austria As Much As You Want, But They’re Good’ - Community Post