Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg has decided not to participate in the upcoming World Cup of Hockey. Flames forward Mikael Backlund will take his spot on the roster.
Zetterberg was originally named Team Sweden’s captain for next month’s tournament, but that honor will have to go to someone else.
The 35-year-old becomes the second Red Wing to give up his spot on Team Sweden, after defenseman Niklas Kronwall decided to skip the tournament as well.
According to head coach Rickard Gronberg, Zetterberg is skipping the tournament because he wasn’t feeling 100 percent healthy.
As for Backlund, he’s represented Sweden at three World Championships (2011, 2014, 2016) and two World Junior Championships (2007-08, 2008-09).
#Flames C Mikael Backlund, on news he'll represent Sweden at World Cup: "A lot of emotions and feelings. It was a special call to get."
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) September 1, 2016
More Backlund: "It means a lot. It’s been always a dream to play on the biggest stage — NHL, Stanley Cup playoffs, World Cup and Olympics."
— Wes Gilbertson (@WesGilbertson) September 1, 2016