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The Minnesota Wild saw their season end prematurely, and riddled with injuries – but for healthy players like Finnish forwards Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund, their spring isn’t over just yet.
The Wild confirmed that both Koivu and Granlund are headed back overseas this May, and both will take part in the 2016 IIHF World Championships as a part of Team Finland in hopes of sweeping the men’s international hockey tournaments for this season. The Finnish national team already took home gold at the U18 tournament a few weeks ago and at the U20 World Junior Championships this winter, so a victory at the men’s tournament would finish the year on a high note for the country.
Koivu is coming off his 11th season with the Wild, during which he managed to score 17 goals and put up 56 points. A former sixth overall pick by the Central Division club, Koivu should bring veteran experience to a roster that recently added 17-year-old Patrik Laine to its ranks, as well.
Granlund, on the other hand, will join the national team with slightly less experience than his NHL captain – but with plenty of time spent skating for Finland nonetheless. Drafted ninth overall by the Wild in 2010, the 24-year-old forward has been a part of the Finnish national team since the U17 roster, and will skate in the World Championships in preparation for his time skating at the World Cup this September.
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