Given a choice, they’d rather be playing in the Eastern Conference final.
Instead, the Capitals will be well-represented in the 2014 IIHF World Championships in Minsk, Belarus from May 9-25.
Team Canada announced on Friday that Caps forwards Troy Brouwer, Jason Chimera and Joel Ward will represent their country in the two-week tournament. It will be Chimera’s third time representing Canada in World Championships. Ward and Brouwer will be making their first appearances.
Forwards Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov and defenseman Dmitry Orlov also have committed to play for Team Russia, while Mikhail Grabovski will represent his hometown of Minsk with Belarus.
“I never even thought about it,” Ward said. “It’s my Olympics. It’s my only chance to wear a Canada jersey. It’s pretty cool to represent your country. I always watch international events, regardless if it’s the Spaniard Cup or the Olympics.”
Ward, 33, will represent Canada for the first time. The Toronto native registered 49 points (24 goals, 25 assists) in 82 games with the Caps, setting career highs in goals, assists, points and power-play goals (6).
Chimera, a 34-year-old native of Edmonton, has recorded eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 18 career games at the tournament. Chimera earned a medal in each of his previous World Championship appearances, winning gold with Canada in 2007 and silver in 2008.
He has represented Canada at two World Championships (2007, 2008) and at World Junior Championships (1999).
Chimera registered 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) in 82 games with the Capitals this season, setting career highs in assists and points.
Brouwer, a 28-year-old native of Vancouver, registered 43 points (25 goals, 18 assists) in 82 games with the Capitals this season, setting new career highs in goals, points and power-play goals (12). Brouwer finished the season ranked tied for sixth in the NHL in power-play goals, first among Washington skaters in hits (210) and second on the team in goals.
“It would be funny to play against Grabo and Ovi and the boys on the other side,” Ward said. “It’ll be fun.”
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