Ready to take on the world! CHLers named to World Championship rosters

The annual IIHF World Championship starts today in Prague and Ostrava, Czech Republic. Of the 16 national teams competing, 12 have named players from Champions Hockey League clubs to their opening day rosters.

CHL News

All of the European domestic leagues are now finished, and it's time for international hockey to take the main stage. Since their clubs wrapped up their seasons, hundreds of players have had their eyes on a spot of their national teams, but most won't make it. Players who competed in the Champions Hockey League this season got a taste of high-level competition from other countries, and many of them have made the final cuts, with a few decisions still pending.

Below is a list of all players from CHL clubs that have been named to the World Championship by their respective national teams. As the tournament progresses, teams will add more players to their rosters, and this list will be adjusted accordingly.

AUSTRIA – Goal: Rene Swette (Klagenfurt). Defence: Daniel Mitterdorfer (Linz), Patrick Peter, Florian Iberer (both Vienna), Martin Schumnig (Klagenfurt), Florian Muhlstein, Alexander Pallestrang, Dominique Heinrich (all Salzburg). Forward: Thomas Raffl, Manuel Latusa, Konstantin Komarek, Alexander Cijan (all Salzburg), Manuel Geier, Thomas Hundertpfund, (both Klagenfurt), Mario Fischer (Vienna).

CZECH REPUBLIC – Defence: Petr Caslava (Pardubice), Jakub Nakladal (TPS). Forward: Jakub Klepis (Trinec).

DENMARK – Defence: Mads Boedker (SonderjyskE), Jesper B. Jensen (Farjestad). Forward: Nichlas Hardt (Linkoping), Thomas Spelling (SonderjyskE).

FINLAND – Defence: Anssi Salmela (Farjestad). Forward: Janne Pesonen (Skelleftea), Joonas Kemppainen, Joonas Donskoi (both Karpat), Jarkko Immonen (Zug).

FRANCE – Goal: Florian Hardy (Munich). Defence: Yohann Auvitu (HIFK).

GERMANY – Goal: Dennis Endras (Mannheim), Timo Pielmeier (Ingolstadt). Defence: Stephan Daschner (Dusseldorf), Nikolai Goc (Mannheim), Benedikt Kohl (Ingolstadt), Justin Krueger (Bern). Forward: Mathias Plachta, Marcus Kink, Kai Hospeldt, (all Mannheim), Patrick Hager (Ingolstadt), Michael Wolf (Munich), Daniel Pietta (Krefeld).

LATVIA – Goal: Ervins Mustukovs (Grenoble). Forward: Koba Jass (Liberec), Janis Sprukts (Fribourg-Gotteron).

NORWAY – Defence: Alexander Bonsaksen (Tappara), Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (Farjestad). Forward: Kristian Forsberg, Mathias Trettenes (both Stavanger), Andreas Martinsen, Ken Andre Olimb (both Dusseldorf), Mats Roselli Olsen (Frolunda), Martin Roymark (Farjestad).

SLOVAKIA – Defence: Marek Daloga, Juraj Mikus (both Sparta), Dominik Granak (Fribourg-Gotteron), Adam Janosik (Kosice). Forward: Vladimir Dravecky (Trinec).

SLOVENIA – Goal: Luka Gracnar (Salzburg), Robert Kristian (Pardubice). Defence: Gregorc Blaz (Pardubice). Forward: Bostjan Golicic (Gap), Marcel Rodman (Klagenfurt), Robert Sabolic (Sparta).

SWEDEN – Defence: Daniel Rahimi (Linkoping). Forward: Joel Lundqvist (Frolunda), Mattias Sjogren (Linkoping).

SWITZERLAND – Goal: Leonardo Genoni (Davos). Defence: Eric Blum (Bern), Patrick Geering (Zurich), Robin Grossmann (Zug), Timo Helbling (Fribourg-Gotteron), Dean Kukan (Lulea). Forward: Reto Suri (Zug), Cody Almond, Kevin Romy (both Geneve-Servette), Reto Schappi, Morris Trachsler (both Zurich), Dino Weiser (Davos).