Mar 19, 2018
Klefbom: McDavid to play for Canada at WHC
While the Edmonton Oilers would need a miracle to reach the postseason, it appears Connor McDavid will still be taking to the ice in May. McDavid's teammate Oscar Klefbom revealed to Sweden's Hockeysverige.se on Sunday that the Oilers captain plans to play for Canada at the World Hockey Championship.
TSN.ca Staff
While the Edmonton Oilers would need a miracle to reach the postseason, it appears Connor McDavid will still be taking to the ice in May.
McDavid's teammate Oscar Klefbom revealed to Sweden's Hockeysverige.se on Sunday that the Oilers captain plans to play for Canada at the World Hockey Championship.
Klefbom admitted the news had not been confirmed by Hockey Canada yet, but said McDavid was one of two Oilers centres planning to play for Canada.
"I know that Connor is going to go there and I also believe [Ryan] Nugent-Hopkins," Klefbom said, as translated from Swedish by Google.
The 2018 Worlds will take place in Denmark from May 4 - 20. Klefbom, a native of Sweden, told Hockeysverige.se he will not be playing due to the shoulder surgery that ended his NHL season.
McDavid played at the tournament after his rookie season, posting one goal and nine assists in 10 games as Canada won gold in 2016. He did not play last year as the Oilers reached the second round of the NHL playoffs.
Nugent-Hopkins, 24, has also one played once at the tournament, failing to medal with Canada in 2012.
McDavid, 21, currently sits third in NHL scoring with 34 goals and 89 points in 72 games. Nugent-Hopkins sits third on the Oilers with 20 goals and 38 points this season in 54 games. He missed significant time earlier this year due to cracked ribs.
The Oilers are 17 points back of the Los Angeles Kings for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with 10 games remaining.