Michael-Brandsegg Nygard of Norway and Marco Kasper of Austria both lost their Olympic Qualifiers and will not play in the 2026 Olympics
Michael-Brandsegg Nygard of Norway and Marco Kasper of Austria both lost their Olympic Qualifiers and will not play in the 2026 Olympics
Two prospects for the Detroit Red Wings tried to earn their countries a bid last week to play men's hockey in the 2026 Olympics. Both wound up on the losing end.
Marco Kasper of Austria and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard of Norway were unable to play their country's way into the Olympics during the final Olympic Qualifiers for the 2026 Milano Cortina games.
Kasper and Austria lost their first two games, but each on was a winnable effort. Slovakia (captained by former Red Wing Tomas Tatar) beat the Austrians 2-1 in the first game. Austria lost game two against Kazakhstan by the same score, letting up the game-winning goal with eight minutes left in the third period. This all but ended Austria's chance at making the Olympics, but its players didn't give up. A comeback, 4-3 win decided in the shootout against Hungary ended their tournament on a high note. Kasper scored the third, game-tying goal with 44 seconds left in the game.
Meanwhile, Brandsegg-Nygard and Norway made it to the final game with a chance to make the Olympics. In their way stood Denmark, who the Norwegians put down 1-0 less than a minute into the game. But, the Danes scored four straight goals to seal the win, ending Norway's chances of making the Olympics. Brandsegg-Nygard finished the three-game tournament with two goals, both of which were scored in the opening game against Japan.
Both Kasper and Brandsegg-Nygard will compete for the Red Wings' NHL roster in training camp this month.
Also from THN Detroit
Ted Lindsay, Hockey’s Labor Trailblazer
Red Wings First Rounder Zadina Signs in Switzerland
From the Archive: "Catch Them if You Can," Remembering 2016's Team North America
Red Wings Captain Shares Tribute to Johnny, Matthew Gaudreau
The Top Five Red Wings Goaltenders of All-Time
National TV Networks Banking on Another Red Wings Playoff Push
Red Wings Prospect's Big Game Leads Norway Closer to Olympic Qualification