HELSINKI – Slovakia expects San Jose Sharks forward Michal Handzus to join the national team in Helsinki.

Handzus’ participation was in jeopardy and a final medical check after his arrival on Friday will determine whether the player will be registered and play at the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.

Handzus already played last year on home ice in Bratislava. It will be the fifth World Championship for the 30-year-old who has also participated in two Olympic Winter Games.

After adding Sparta Prague defenceman Michal Sersen to its roster today, the Slovaks have two goalkeepers and 20 skaters registered. The maximum a team can register is three goalies and 22 skaters.

The Slovaks plan to leave the other roster spot open and keep an eye the New York Rangers and Marian Gaborik.

Meanwhile Canada has added Ryan Murray of the WHL’s Everett Silvertips to its roster. The 18-year-old defenceman has been with the team as a camp invitee. He’s currently the only Canadian player on the roster not coming from an NHL team, but gained international experience at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship and two U18 World Championships. Canada has now two goalies and 19 skaters registered.

Also two other teams added players who have already been with the team. Germany added Adler Mannheim defenceman Denis Reul while Sweden added a trio that was not registered on Thursday: Ottawa Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson, and NHL forwards Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa) and Marcus Krüger (Chicago).

MARTIN MERK