With the Calgary Flames just narrowly missing this year’s playoffs in heartbreaking fashion, players are now freed up to be selected to play in the upcoming IIHF World Championships

Defensemen Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar, forward Matt Coronato, and goaltender Dan Vladar are all set to represent their respective nations when the tournament kicks off in early May. It’s an improvement on Calgary’s representation last year, which had Martin Pospisil as the only Flame in the tournament, with multiple players opting out for various reasons.

Building off his senior international debut at this year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, Flames alternate captain Rasmus Andersson is suiting up for the Swedes for a second time this season. Playing as Calgary’s sole representative at 4 Nations, he played one game as Sweden took down the US 2-1, logging some key defensive minutes. With a thinner roster at Worlds, he’ll be looking to play top minutes as host country Sweden looks for their first gold medal finish since doing it back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. Andersson was selected for the roster last year, but was unable to attend due to the birth of his child.

Also from the blue line, MacKenzie Weegar will make his second appearance with Team Canada. The Ottawa native tied for third in points this season with Coronato, finishing with 8 goals and 39 points for a total of 47 points. He was also the Flames leader for TOI this past season, averaging 24:10 a night, just ahead of Andersson’s 23:59. Weegar was selected for Canada’s roster last year, but opted out to rest after a tough season physically.

Suiting up for Team USA as the sole offensive Flame in the tournament is Coronato. The top six winger had 24 goals and 47 points in 77 games this year, in his first nearly full NHL season (the 22-year-old played two games with the Calgary Wranglers in October, scoring two goals), including a seven-game point streak to end the year. Drafted 13th overall by the Flames in 2021, it will be his second Worlds since making his debut at the 2023 edition where the US came fourth. He finished that tournament with three goals and eight points in 10 games played, including the go-ahead goal in the third period of the bronze medal game before the Americans lost it in OT.

Between the pipes, Dan Vladar will suit up for his senior international debut with Czechia, the defending gold medalists. Vladar started a career high 29 games this season, playing backup to breakout rookie Dustin Wolf, finishing with 12 wins, two shutouts, a 2.80 GAA, and a .898% SV%. He’ll have to earn his starting spot against teammates Karel Vejmelka from the Utah Hockey Club, and Anaheim Ducks netminder Lukáš Dostál, who had a shutout in last year’s final but isn’t yet confirmed for the roster.

With Calgary skaters filling roster spots across the tournament, there will be plenty for Flames fans to keep an eye on in this year’s edition of the World Championships. And with Canada and the United States looking to find their way back to the podium, Sweden trying to be hometown heroes, and Czechia chasing back-to-back world titles, it’s sure to be an exciting battle between these nations.