Latvian opponent Sweden is joined by two-time NHL champion Hedmans

The 33-year-old Hedman collected 76 points (13 goals + 63 assists) in 78 matches in the Tampa Bay Lightning this season in the NHL regular season.

On the other hand, in the playoff tournament, Hedman scored seven points (1+6) in five matches, but “Lightning” lost 1-4 to Florida “Panthers” represented by Uvja Balinska.

Hedman helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021. Four years ago, the Swedish defender received the Kon Smith Award, which is presented to the most valuable player in the play-offs.

So far, Hedman has participated in four world championships, played a total of 27 matches, scored three goals and provided four assists. In 2017, he helped Sweden win gold medals, and in 2010 – bronze awards.

The Swedish national team has so far announced 15 hockey players who will participate in this year’s world championship. All of them have played in the NHL this season, but Jespers Valsted only played three matches in the Minnesota “Wild” team, spending most of them in the farm club in the AHL.

The stars of the defense positions Erik Karlsson (Pittsburgh “Penguins”) and Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo “Sabres”), as well as Minnesota “Wild” players Marcus Johansson, Joel Eriksson-Ek and Jonas Brodin will play in the World Championship.

The 2024 World Championship will take place in the Czech cities of Prague and Ostrava from May 10 to 26. The Latvian national team will go to the world championship on May 9.

Latvia will meet France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and the USA in subgroup B of the World Championship.

The match between Latvian and Swedish ice hockey players is scheduled for May 18.