The 2021 IIHF Hockey World Championships kick off in Latvia this week, with the opening games starting Friday. For New York Rangers fans it’s an opportunity to watch a few of your guys play for their countries. This year the Rangers have eight players suiting up for the tournament and possibility their future Head Coach? Two candidates for the Rangers Head Coaching position will be coaching in the tournament. Presumed front runner Gerard Gallant will be coaching Team Canada, while Bob Hartley fresh off a KHL Championship will coach Team Latvia.
Team USA: Zac Jones, Colin Blackwell & Kevin Rooney
With Chris Drury as Team USA’s General Manager, he is bringing a few familiar faces overseas with him. Zac Jones fresh off an NCAA National Championship played the last 10 games of the season with the Rangers. Jones has represented Team USA a few times at the international level but this will be his first IIHF Hockey World Championships. Colin Blackwell and Kevin Rooney both had the best seasons of their NHL careers this year. Blackwell surprised Rangers fans by showcasing a nice scoring touch this year tallying 12 goals. Blackwell is a guy that can play up and down the lineup for Team USA. Rooney is a solid 4th line center that is very dependable in his defensive zone. He is a very good penalty killer and is not afraid to drop the gloves. Rooney played a career-high 54 games this year and produced 14 points on the season.
Team Canada: Braden Schneider
The 19-year-old defenseman will look to bring the momentum of an excellent WHL season over to Latvia. The Rangers 2020 first-round draft pick scored 5 goals and produced 27 points in just 22 games this season for the Brandon Wheat Kings. Like Jones, Schneider is no stranger to wearing his countries colors. He played for Team Canada at this year’s World Junior Championships and also played for the U18 team in 2019. Schneider might also be showcasing himself to future Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant. Gallant will get a nice up-close look at what Schneider can bring to the 2021 roster if he does get the Rangers job.
Team Czech Republic: Filip Chytil & Libor Hajek
The two young Czech’s were selected to the roster by former New York Ranger Petr Nedved who is serving as the team’s General Manager. Chytil had an okay season this year. He produced 22 points in 42 games and battled an injury for a large part of the season. Chytil’s name has been floated in a lot of trade rumors so he might have some additional eyes on him this tournament. This will be Chytil’s third IIHF Hockey World Championships and has represented the Czech Republic numerous times in international tournaments. Libor Hajek struggled at times during his first full NHL season. Hajek is another name that has been floating around trade rumors with the Rangers vast defensive depth. This will be Hajek’s first World Championships but he has represented his country at both the U18 and U20 World Championships.
Team Sweden: Nils Lundkvist
The 20-year-old star prospect had an unbelievable year for Lulea HF. Nils scored 14 goals, the most by a defenseman in the SHL, and was named the SHL Defenseman of the Year. The Rangers 2018 First Round Draft Pick has said he is planning on signing with the Rangers after the World Championships with the hope to make the team next season. Lundkvist has represented Sweden on both the Senior and Junior level a ton in his career. He should see major minutes for this Sweden team.
Team Slovakia: Adam Huska
Huska had a fantastic season for the Harford Wolfpack. He posted a 9-4 record and a solid 2.70 GAA. A year after bouncing between Hartford and the Rangers ECHL affiliate, Maine Mariners, it all clicked for Huska this year. Coming into the season most thought he would battle for the backup AHL job but he quickly outplayed fellow goaltending prospect Tyler Wall and with Keith Kinkaid needed at the NHL level it was his net in Hartford. Huska has been a constant representative for the Slovakian National Team. He’s played in two U18 World Juniors and two U20 World Championships. I am looking forward to seeing how he plays in the tournament. If the NHL adopts the taxi squad again next season he will be in the running for the 3rd spot.
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