Both Andy Greene and Ilya Kovalchuk will play in this year’s International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championships, beginning Thursday in Germany.
This is Greene’s first time representing the U.S. in the worlds. The Devils’ defenseman had a career year, finishing with six goals, 31 assists and 37 points during the 2009 – 2010 season.
Kovalchuk will be heading to the worlds for the seventh time. The Devils’ left-winger has scored 19 goals and collected 24 assists in 48 career games during the tournament. In 2008, Kovalchuk scored the game-winning, overtime goal to defeat Canada and give Russia the gold medal.
In last year’s tournament, Kovalchuk totaled five goals and nine assists in nine appearances. He was also named the tournament MVP.
Devils’ defenseman Anssi Salmela was slated to play for Team Finland, but sustained an undisclosed injury earlier this week. According to a tweet from his agent, Jay Grossman, Salmela injured himself playing for Finland in the LG Games earlier this week.
Greene and Team USA debut Thursday, when they face Germany. Kovalchuk and Team Russia open the tournament Saturday against Slovakia.
For all the news on the tournament, check out the IIHF’s website here.
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