According to Hockey Slovakia’s team website, Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary will not play for Team Slovakia in the upcoming 2023 IIHF World Championship in May. Fehervary is already at home in Slovakia, but has decided to rest rather than join Team Slovakia for this year’s tournament.
Hockey Slovakia reports that communication took place between Fehervary and the management of the national team in recent days. However, after a difficult season in the NHL, the website says that Fehervary doesn’t feel he is 100% ready to play for Team Slovakia, and thus, has decided to pass on this year’s Championship. Fehervary has played for Team Slovakia in three prior World Championships (2018, 2019 and 2022) and three prior World Junior Championships (2017, 2018 and 2019).
Fehervary joins Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom in the decision to pass on this year’s championship. Team Sweden confirmed on Wednesday that Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin will join Team Sweden next week for a tuneup tournament and the World Championship. Russia is once again excluded from this year’s tournament.
Fehervary played in 67 games for the Capitals this past season, recording six goals and 10 assists. He missed three games in early March with a lower body injury and missed most of December with an upper body injury, that included a Saint on the injured reserve list.
Here’s the hit on Martin Fehervary by Flames winger Milan Lucic in the second period. Fehervary left the ice immediately after and didn’t return. pic.twitter.com/7sXtoojK7n
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) December 4, 2022
The 2023 IIHF World Championship will be co-hosted by Tampere, Finland and Riga, Latvia. The tournament is scheduled to be run from May 12 to 28.
By Jon Sorensen