The Detroit Red Wings are bringing in a player who captained Canada to a world hockey title among the club’s rookie free agent invites to training camp.

Okay, it was a world ball hockey title, but it’s a world title nonetheless.

Among the seven rookie free agents that the Red Wings have extended an invitation to participate in the club’s prospect games against the Dallas Stars, defenseman Justice Christiansen is the captain of the WHL Prince Albert Raiders. In the summer, Christiansen was also the captain of the Canadian team that won the World U20 ball hockey championship in Slovakia.

Last season, the 5-foot-9, 191-pound Christiansen scored 22 goals for the Raiders.

At the other end of the spectrum, 6-foot-7, 225-pound Swedish defenseman Carl-Otto Magnusson was also extended a camp invitation. The Frolunda rearguard is known more as a stay-at-home defenseman. And since he’s still eligible for the 2026 NHL entry draft, the Red Wings wouldn’t be able to offer Magnusson a contract if he wows them at rookie camp.

Red Wings Tapping Into Moncton Pipeline

Magnusson was selected in the CHL Import Draft by the QMJHL Moncton Wildcats. However, he opted to remain in Sweden.

Still, there will be plenty of Moncton flavor on Detroit’s rookie roster. Two draft picks – goalie Rudy Guimond (2023) and center Grayden Robertson-Palmer – will play for Moncton this season.

Joining them will be free agent right wing Vincent Collard. He scored 25 goals for the QMJHL champions last season. Collard also had a four-goal performance in Game 3 of the QMJHL final against Rimouski.

Two even strength goals, one on the power play and one shorthanded. Vincent Collard was so clutch in Game 3! 🙌 #QPlayoffs | @monctonwildcats pic.twitter.com/2kInOTk6kW

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) May 15, 2025

Red Wings player development director Dan Cleary spoke of the faith the team has in Moncton coach Gardiner MacDougall when it comes to developing players.

“I mean, he’s unbelievable,” Cleary said. “He’s won everywhere he’s been, and he’s developed some great players.”

Also earning an invitation from the QMJHL are Halifax Mooseheads center Liam Kilfoil and Sherbrooke Phoenix right-winger Florent Houle. Kilfoil played for Canada Red at the 2023 World Jr A Challenge. Houle attended Detroit’s development camp in July.

Kitchener Rangers defenseman Maxim Dirracolo also went unselected in the OHL Priority Selection Draft, but has spent the past two seasons in the league. He attended the development camp of the Florida Panthers in the summer of 2024.

SILKY SMOOTH BY KENNEDY 🚨😱@SpitsHockey defenceman Wyatt Kennedy gets loose on a short handed breakaway and makes a filthy move to score his second goal of the season and get Windsor to within two!#OHL | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/G1vzKcAXL6

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 6, 2025

Defenseman Wyatt Kennedy doesn’t have to go far to see the Red Wings. He’s playing in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires. The right-shot defender is a towering presence at 6-foot-5, 201 pounds. He’s already played over 200 games in the OHL.