ZURICH-KLOTEN – Finland has filled its roster with two additional players, defenceman Janne Niskala and forward Ville Vahalahti.
Niskala began the season with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning before moving to Sweden's Frölunda Gothenburg. The 27-year-old might slot in as a power-play specialist at the blueline.
The 31-year-old Vahalahti, who has played in Turku since his junior years (apart from the 2007-2008 season in Linköping, Sweden), joined the roster as an additional forward.
Team USA will use its last roster spot, a third goalkeeper, for Scott Clemmensen. Clemmensen shared the New Jersey Devils cage with Martin Brodeur and Kevin Weekes this season. He had a 91.7 save percentage and a 2.39 GAA in 40 games.
USA Hockey also registered the previously announced forwards Christopher Higgins (Montreal) and Joe Pavelski (San Jose Sharks) on Friday.
Meanwhile, Denmark added forward Rasmus Olsen from AaB Aalborg of the Danish league. The Danes have one roster spot remaining for a skater.
Other teams which still have roster spots remaining include: Belarus (1 skater), Czech Republic (2 skaters), Norway (2 skaters), Russia (1 skater) and Switzerland (1 goalie).