Laine to represent Finland at tournament slated for May 12-28 in Tampere, Finland and Riga, Latvia
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine will represent Team Finland at the 2023 IIHF World Championships, which will take place May 12-28 in both his hometown of Tampere, Finland and Riga, Latvia, the Blue Jackets and Finnish Ice Hockey Federation announced today.
Laine, 25, tallied 22 goals and 30 assists for 52 points with 16 penalty minutes, 184 shots on goal and eight power play goals, while averaging 19:07 Time on Ice in 55 games during the 2022-23 season. He led the Blue Jackets in points per game (0.95) and power play goals and ranked second in goals and points despite missing 30 games due to injury.
In 462 career NHL games, Laine has registered 198-181-379 with 179 penalty minutes and 69 power play goals with the Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets. He has notched 58-71-129, 61 penalty minutes and 17 power play goals in 156 games since joining the Blue Jackets during the 2020-21 campaign. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 0.97 points per game (48-60-108 in 111 games) compared to 0.77 (150-121-271 in 351 games) over his first five seasons. Winnipeg’s first pick, second overall, in the 2016 Draft, he was an NHL All-Rookie Team selection and played in his first All-Star Game in 2016-17.
The Tampere, Finland native has represented his country in numerous international tournaments, including the World Cup of Hockey 2016, 2016 IIHF World Championships and 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships tournament. He was named Most Valuable Player and won a silver medal at the World Championships as he tied for the tournament lead with seven goals and led his team in points with 7-5-12 in 10 games. At the World Junior Championships, he led Finland to the gold medal, while earning All-Star Team honors after racking up 7-6-13 in seven contests.
The 2023 IIHF World Championship tournament is being co-hosted by Finland and Latvia. Group play will take place May 12-23 with the tournament quarterfinals beginning on May 25. The tournament concludes with medal games on Sunday, May 28.
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