Detroit — Of all the Red Wings that are, and have been, competing in the men’s world championships, arguably the most impressive could be Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.
The young forward joined Norway late, after the Grand Rapids Griffins were eliminated in the AHL playoffs, but immediately made a huge impact.
Brandsegg-Nygard, 20, scored back-to-back game-winning goals to help Norway into the quarterfinals, where Thursday, he recorded an assist in Norway’s 2-0 victory over Latvia.
With the win, Norway advances to play host Switzerland on Saturday (9:20 a.m./NHL Network) in the semifinals.
How unexpected is this for Norway? The country never has won a medal at the tournament, with its best finish being a fourth-place finish in 1951.
Norway is getting numerous contributions everyone in the lineup, which is fueling this surprising run. But Brandsegg-Nygard, the Wings’ 2024 first-round draft pick (15th overall), has provided a jolt. Brandsegg-Nygard has five points (three goals) in three games and carried over an outstanding performance in the AHL playoffs.
Brandsegg-Nygard had eight points (four goals) in eight games for the Griffins, with a plus-four rating and 10 penalty minutes, playing the type of physical-minded hockey that is successful in the playoffs.
Dan Watson, the Griffins’ coach, felt Brandsegg-Nygard took a major step forward in development.
“The way he played in the regular season and the way that he played through the playoffs, that’s his style,” Watson said of Brandsegg-Nygard’s hard-driving style. “That’s how he’s going to play and he did a great job.”
“He’s got that playoff-type mentality.”
Brandsegg-Nygard made the Wings’ opening-night roster but was sent to Grand Rapids as his playing time diminished. Brandsegg-Nygard had 20 goals and 44 points in 60 games with the Griffins, and was recalled by the Wings in March, where he finished the regular season. Brandsegg-Nygard had one point (an assist) in 14 NHL games.
“His start was actually pretty impressive. He did a real good job. Then you could see he needed some time (in the minors),” coach Todd McLellan said of Brandsegg-Nygard’s season. “He (went) down there and been put in situations where he’s been counted on and played big minutes. He plays a heavy game. He can check, and he gives you the shot and the opportunity to score as well.”
In the opposite semifinal, Wings forward Emmitt Finnie and goaltender Cam Talbot are in Canada’s lineup against Finland (2 p.m./NHL Network). Finnie was voted player of the game in a preliminary-round victory over Slovenia, but has primarily seen limited ice time on a stacked Canadian roster. Talbot has basically been backing up goaltender Jet Greaves (Columbus).
IIHF world championship semifinals
▶ Who: Norway plays Switzerland, 9:20 a.m.; Canada faces Finland, 2 p.m.
▶ TV: NHL Network
▶ Red Wings connection:Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (Norway), Emmitt Finnie, Cam Talbot (Canada).
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Red Wings’ Michael Brandsegg-Nygard helps fuel Norway in worlds
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