Ducks forward Teemu Selanne announced he will play for home country Finland in the upcoming IIHF World Hockey Championship, to be held May 2-18 in Quebec City and Halifax, Canada. Selanne skated with the team Wednesday in Halifax, just a day after agreeing to a request from general manager Jari Kurri to join the squad. It's the first time in five years Selanne has competed in the event, though the 37-year-old Helsinki native has represented his country 11 times previously. He has played in four Olympics (winning a silver medal in 2006), two World Cups, a Canada Cup and four previous World Championships.
"It's funny," Selanne said. "I have won Olympic silver, World Cup silver and world championship silver but not gold so obviously there is (room for) some improvement."
Selanne played 32 games for the Ducks this past season after considering retirement for several months and joining the team in early February. He still has not indicated whether he wants to come back next season in the days following Anaheim's first-round playoff elimination at the hands of the Dallas Stars.
"I only played 32 games this season and I felt like I could continue and play way more games in the playoffs," Selanne said. "That break I had was so good. I am really happy to come back to the Worlds."
In addition to Selanne, the Finnish team has eight NHL players, three AHL players and others from leagues around Europe. Finland took the silver medal in the 2007 World Championship, falling to Canada in the final, 4-2.
The Ducks will also be represented by forwards Ryan Getzlaf and Chris Kunitz on Team Canada and goalie Jonas Hiller on the Swiss team.
SOURCE: AnaheimDucks.com
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