HELSINKI – The surname Plüss is well-known to any fan of international hockey, and it continues to be a presence at the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. But this year it’s a 33-year-old rookie named Benjamin (Benny) and not his older brother Martin, who first played at the Worlds in 1998 and has been in nearly every once since, including 2011, who is representing the family for Switzerland. “He didn’t want to play this year because he had a long season, and he wasn’t so happy with the way he played,” Benny said of his brother, who has played in eleven World Championships and three Olympics. “He wasn’t feeling 100 per cent, so he talked to the coach and said it would be better if he didn’t play. You have to respect that.” And so Benny arrives as a World Championship rookie towards the end of his career rather than the beginning, as is traditional. “I had a slow start to my career, and I played in the top league since I was 23,” Plüss started. “I’m really happy to be here, and the coach has given me a chance to play at the World Championship.” The two Plüsses played together with Kloten for just one season, 1998-99, but Martin, two years older, stayed in Kloten while Benny moved on to other teams in the Swiss league. This was Benny’s second chance to make the team. “Two years ago,” he explained, “I was the last cut before the championship, but I played a couple of exhibition games first.” Undaunted by the rejection, he kept playing his best. After leaving Kloten he joined Lausanne (2000-01) and then Langnau (2001-03) before settling with Fribourg, the team he has been with for nearly a decade now. Plüss is considered a solid two-way player more than a star offensive threat, and coach Sean Simpson has given him a role within the player’s means here in Helsinki. “Nothing special,” Plüss said of his duties. “I’m playing with Morris Trachsler and Daniel Rubin on the fourth line. We bring some energy to the team, play a smart game. If we don’t get many goals, that’s not a problem, but if we can contribute, that’s also good. We need to play a solid game; that’s our job.” Although Martin didn’t come to the Worlds, he did chat a bit with Benny about the experience. “We talked a little bit before the tournament,” Benny said, “but each championship is a little different, so I’m not sure what he could say to help, really.” Plüss made his debut Saturday afternoon in a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan, and he played more than 12 minutes. “I wasn’t really nervous,” he explained, “but it felt a little special, like playing in the playoffs for the first time or in the finals for the first time. In the end, I got a lot of experience, and I can prepare myself for the next game.” And for Plüss, every game could be another cap on his résumé, or it could be his last game. He never knows. “I’m just happy to be here. I’m 33 years old, so I’m not going to get too many more chances to play with the team. We have a good team, and I think we can go a long way in this tournament.” ANDREW PODNIEKS