Columbus Blue Jackets Players Heading to World Championships
The Columbus Blue Jackets will have several players to the 2017 IIHF World Championships. There is still time left for a few more players to join their countries roster.
Paris and Cologne will have some Columbus Blue Jackets players roaming their historic streets in May. With the 2017 IIHF World Championships set to start on May 5th, Switzerland, Latvia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden will all have a Blue Jacket on their roster.
Team Sweden will have William Karlsson on the roster. One of the tournament favorites, Sweden has a young forward who could either play a familiar, fourth line role or step into a larger, play making role. A big miss though for Team Sweden as Jacket Alexander Wennberg will not be joining Karlsson in Europe. Wild Bill will be one of 13 NHLers on Team Sweden.
Team Finland has invited Joonas Korpisalo and Markus Hannikainen to try out for their squad. Korpisalo and Hannakinen will both likely make the team and play small roles for another tournament favorite in Team Finland. The extra playing time will be great for the two young Finns. Markus Nutivaara would have made the team if not for his hip surgery he will undergo soon.
#CBJ G Joonas Korpisalo will play for Finland in World Championships. Prospect Elvis Merzlikins will play for Latvia.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) April 24, 2017
Dean Kukan will be the only CBJ player to suit up for Team Switzerland. CBJ prospect Calvin Thurkauf could have suited up for the Swiss, but his Kelowna Rockets are in the WHL Western Conference Finals.
The Jackets 2015 6th Round Pick Vladislav Gavrikov will join another contender in Team Russia. Finally young goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will play for his native Latvia.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Potential U.S.A. Players
Both Cam Atkinson and Seth Jones discussed in their exit interviews that they had been reached out to by USA Hockey. Both are still mulling over their choice to go or to head straight into their offseason.
Jones lead the team in time on ice with 23:24 per game. It was the highest T.O.I in his young career as well. Atkinson played in all 82 games this season and all five playoffs games for the CBJ. He also had his highest T.O.I in his career.
I don’t expect either to join the squad this May. Zach Werenski also said he would have played on Team USA if not for his unfortunate injury.
The young players heading to Germany and France will have a great opportunity to grow and build momentum as many will try to make big moves next year. The IIHF World Championships will start on May 5th.