Patric Hornqvist will play for Sweden in the upcoming World Championship, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association confirmed on Tuesday.
This will be Hornqvist's fifth time playing in the World Championship. He recorded two goals in five games in last year's tournament as Sweden won gold.
Hornqvist is the first Penguin to officially confirm his participation in the tournament.
Marcus Pettersson will be an alternate for the Swedish team.
During last week's locker room cleanout day, Matt Murray said that he wasn't sure if he was supposed to disclose whether or not he had spoken with Canada regarding his involvement, which makes it sound like he had. Sidney Crosby confirmed that he will not participate in the tournament.
Teddy Blueger remains a possibility for Latvia, after playing in the past two men's tournaments.
Evgeni Malkin did not speak to the media on cleanout day, but a social media post from his wife following the Penguins' elimination implies that they are heading to the tournament.
The World Championship will take place from May 10 to 26 in Slovakia.
Penguins forward prospect Jan Drozg will likely represent Slovenia in the Division I A tournament, which will be held from April 29 to May 5 in Kazakhstan. If he does participate, this will be his second time representing the men's Slovenian team, after playing in last year's tournament. Earlier this season, Drozg led the Slovenian team to a Division I B tournament win with four goals and eight assists in five games.
Forward Yushiroh Hirano, who played for Wheeling and Wilkes-Barre this season, will play for Japan in the Division I B tournament, held from April 28 to May 4 in Estonia. This will be the 23-year-old's fourth time playing in the men's tournament.
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