BRATISLAVA – The Slovak national team announced that forwards Marian Hossa and Michal Handzus will be in uniform for Sunday’s game versus Germany.
Hossa is coming off a seven-game first-round playoff loss to the Vancouver Canucks with the ex-Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. The 32-year-old right wing, who had 25 goals and 32 assists this season, will play in his eighth IIHF World Championship. Still seeking his first IIHF medal, Hossa is also a three-time Olympian (2002, 2006, 2010).
Handzus, whose Los Angeles Kings lost in six games to the San Jose Sharks, will appear in his fourth IIHF World Championship. He won gold with Slovakia at the 2002 Worlds in Sweden. At 34, the big checking centre is a two-time Olympian (2002, 2010). He had 12 goals and 18 assists for Los Angeles this season.
The Slovaks also confirmed that after further evaluations by doctors, Chicago forward Tomas Kopecky will not be available for this tournament. He suffered an upper-body injury in the first round against Vancouver.
The additions leave Slovakia with one remaining available roster spot for the Preliminary Round.