Several members of the Detroit Red Wings leave the organization for a much better opportunity

Detroit Red Wings prospects James Whipple and Max Plante have the honors of suiting up for Team USA this summer.

The purpose is to put on a show for the leadership of Team USA when it comes to making a decision for the lineup in the IIHF World Junior Championships this upcoming season.

Plante and Whipple want to put their best foot forward in order to keep their names front and center with GM Steve Yzerman, who keeps tabs on the players' development.

In an interesting mix-up this season, Team USA players will be split into two teams of blue and white. Plante and Whipple will be joining top prospects like Cole Eiserman and James Hagens this summer to compete for a spot in the IIHF tournament.

Plante was the 47th overall pick in the 2nd-round of the 2024 NHL Draft, and before joining the UMD Bulldogs in 2024-25, was a member of the US NDTP.

The goal Plante should be aiming for this season will be earning an ELC with the Red Wings, as the 19-year-old just finished his first season of college hockey with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, playing 23 games, scoring 28 points (9-19) in 23 games.

Plante would not only earn a spot on the U-20 IIHF World Championship team, but he'd score 3 points for Team USA in six games, contributing to the gold medal win this year.

Plante's dad, Derek, a former Buffalo Sabre, has been an excellent source of growth in his junior hockey career, and could, with some sound advice, help his son earn his first NHL contract this summer.

Whipple is a former fifth-round pick in the 2024 NHL draft and is coming off his first year as a Minnesota Golden Gopher in the NCAA. Whipple isn't known for his high-offensive production, as he's primarily a defensive defenseman.

Whipple is known for utilizing his speed and backchecking abilities to prevent fast breaks and break down plays while using his stick-checking to retrieve pucks and to create the breakout.