Toronto — The positives far outweighed the negatives, and considering the way Filip Zadina is progressing, the Red Wings felt it was the right move to allow Zadina to play in the upcoming world junior championships.
Zadina will leave Grand Rapids, where he’s playing for the minor league Griffins, after their Dec. 19 game.
The World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, this year in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, take place Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
“It’s the best tournament for 19-year-olds in the world,” general manager Ken Holland said. “I’ve been talking to his agent (Darren Ferris) for the last two or three weeks, and talking to Filip, and he’s excited to represent his country (the Czech Republic).