13 Chicago Blackhawks to compete in World Cup of Hockey

After initially having nine players selected to play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, four more Chicago Blackhawks’ players were selected Friday to play in the tournament, which takes place before the 2016-17 season.

The Chicago Blackhawks will be well represented at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Half of the Blackhawks’ roster was chosen to represent their respective countries/continents in the tournament this fall. In total, 13 Blackhawks will play in the tournament, which runs from September 17th-October 1st in Toronto’s Air Canada Center.

Originally, nine Blackhawks were selected to participate in the tournament during the initial roster selection process in March. However, each team still had to add seven players to each of their rosters, thus allowing four more Blackhawks to be selected Friday.

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Between the 13 Blackhawks playing in the tournament, three will play for Team Canada, one for Team USA, and two each for Team Russia, Team Finland, Team Sweden and Team Europe and one for Team Czech Republic.

For Team Canada, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith were selected originally to participate, with goalie Corey Crawford added to the team Friday. Toews and Keith are expected to play large roles for Canada, but it is uncertain what role Crawford will play. Canada has three goalies on their roster, meaning Crawford could be the starter or hardly ever play.

One player that is certain to constantly be on the ice is Patrick Kane, the lone Blackhawk will represent Team USA. The 2016 Art Ross Trophy winner led the NHL in points this season (106), scoring 46 goals along with his 60 assists, both career highs.

Two of the Blackhawks’ top scorers from the 2015-16 season will play for Team Russia. Artem Anisimov (20) and Artemi Panarin (30) will play for Russia after the two eclipsed the 20 goal mark this NHL season, both doing so in their first year in Chicago.

A couple of young Blackhawks will represent the Hawks’ for Team Finland, one of which has yet to play a game in the NHL. Teuvo Teravainen (21) and Ville Pokka (21) will play for Finland, although both will turn 22 by the start of the tournament. Teravainen was an original selection, with Pokka getting chosen on Friday.

Acquired from the New York Islanders for Nick Leddy, Pokka is one of the Blackhawks’ top defenseman prospects, if not the top prospect. Despite playing just two seasons in the United States for the AHL Rockford Icehogs, the Blackhawks are hoping he can contribute for them in the NHL during the 2016-17 season.

A couple of the Blackhawks’ top penalty killers will play for Team Sweeden in Niklas Hjalmarsson and Marcus Kruger. Kruger was not an original selection due to a wrist injury that he suffered in December, dislocating his left wrist.

Despite the injury and consequential surgery, Kruger showed no signs of rust after returning at the end of March, immediately improving the Blackhawks penalty kill upon his return. While he will not be Sweden’s top goal scorer by any means, he will be a mainstay on the PK.

Between the final three Blackhawks participating in the tournament, only one will be a popular/significant name for Hawks’ fans. Future Hall of Famer Marian Hossa will represent Slovakia for Team Europe, while trade deadline acquisition Christian Ehrhoff will represent Germany on the same squad after being selected Friday.

Last but not least, newly signed defenseman Michal Kempny will play for Team Czech Republic. While the 25-year old is new to the Blackhawks, he was originally selected to play for the Czech’s back in March. Similar to Pokka, the Blackhawks are hoping he can contribute to the team this coming season.

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The World Cup of Hockey begins September 17th, with all games being broadcast in the United States on ESPN. Tune in to see all of your favorite Blackhawks in action!

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