The Blackhawks early exit from the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs has allowed six players to represent their country in the 2012 World Championships.
Team Sweden will have a trio of Hawks including defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, left wing Viktor Stalberg and center Marcus Kruger. Hjalmarsson played for Sweden in the 2007 World Junior Championships, logging two goals and an assist in seven games. Kruger will wear the gold and blue for the third time and second in the World Championships. He had two goals and an assist in nine games in 2011. This is Stalberg's first time representing his home country.
In addition, Michael Frolik will play for the Czech Republic for the fifth time. He scored three goals and assisted on two others in nine games with the national team in 2011.
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Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith accepted invitations to play for Team Canada, while Jonathan Toews turned down the opportunity. Keith won gold for Canada at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
The 2012 IIHF World Championships will be held from May 4-20 in Helsinki and Stockholm.