JUST IN: CBJ Key-Players move on at the World Championships

observing the large contingent of CBJ competitors in the premier international competition this year.
Nine Blue Jackets players are competing in the IIHF World Championships, which are being hosted in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia, from today until May 26. Although the team’s season is done, hockey is still being played.

The annual competition, which pits sixteen nations against one another to determine a champion, is being attended by Team USA, which is attempting to win its first gold medal at the event since 1960. Finland won the entire competition in 2022, and Canada is hoping to defend the gold medal it took home from the event last year, which was hosted in Finland and Latvia.

Five CBJ skaters are competing, including three that are on Team USA: forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Gavin Brindley, as well as alternate captain Zach Werenski. Team Canada is represented by defenseman Damon Severson, and Latvia is represented by goalie Elvis Merzlikins.

Furthermore, for the first time, Rick Nash, the director of player development at CBJ, is the general manager of the Canadian team. Off the ice, Mike Vogt, Dustin Halstead, Jamie Healy, and equipment manager Mike Vogt are all strong representatives of the Blue Jackets on the US team.

The event’s preliminary play ended on Tuesday, with each team competing in seven round-robin games. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and medal games were held on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Check back often for updates regarding the CBJ contingent on this page.

Werenski (USA) tournament statistics: 7 GP, 2-5-7, +7, 22 SOG, 23:20 TOI

Gaudreau (USA): +8, 22 SOG, 16:46 TOI, 7 GP, 3-8-11,

Brindley (USA): +1, 2 SOG, 4 GP, 1-0-1, and 8:54 TOI

7 GP, 0-1-1, Even +1, 12 SOG, 18:30 TOI, Severson (Canada)

Baltic team Merzlikins, 2–0–1, 4 GP, 4.80 GAA,.826 SV%

CBJ Quarterfinal Schedule: 10:20 a.m. ET on Thursday, Canada (Severson) vs. Slovakia

Czech Republic versus. United States (Werenski, Gaudreau, Brindley), 2:20 p.m. ET