May 28--Blackhawks center Marcus Kruger and defensive prospect Ville Pokka will join several of their teammates at the World Cup of Hockey in September after being named to Team Sweden and Team Finland, respectively, on Friday.
Kruger, who turned 26 on Friday, will join defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson on Team Sweden. Kruger played in 41 games for the Hawks and signed a three-year contract extension in March. He suffered a dislocated left wrist in December but returned late in the season.
Pokka will join Teuvo Teravainen on Team Finland. Pokka played in 76 games for Rockford and had 10 goals and 35 assists.
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville will serve as an assistant to Mike Babcock for Team Canada while general manager Stan Bowman will serve as assistant general manager for Team North America, which includes players from the U.S. and Canada who are 23 or younger.
Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, who will be a free agent, was named to Team Europe's roster.
chine@tribpub.com
Hawks in World Cup
C Jonathan Toews, Canada
D Duncan Keith, Canada
G Corey Crawford, Canada
RW Patrick Kane, U.S.
C Artem Anisimov, Russia
LW Artemi Panarin, Russia
D Niklas Hjalmarsson, Sweden
C Marcus Kruger, Sweden
C Teuvo Teravainen, Finland
D Ville Pokka, Finland
RW Marian Hossa, Europe
D Christian Ehrhoff, Europe
D Michal Kempny, Czech Republic
