2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship: Washington's Nicklas Bäckström Will Play For Sweden

After being eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs on Saturday night in Game 7 by the New York Rangers, the Washington Capitals' Nicklas Bäckström will play for his homeland of Sweden in the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. From the tournament's official site:

It was announced today that Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Bäckström has accepted an invitation to join the Swedish national team in time for the quarter-finals of the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship.

Bäckström is expected to arrive in Stockholm on Tuesday if everything works out. Sweden plays Latvia in the final game of the Preliminary Round that night at the Globe Arena.

This will be Bäckström's fourth time representing Sweden at the World Championship. In 22 World Championship games, Bäckström has amassed 13 points, scoring four goals.

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