'Yotes Notes: Ekman-Larsson, Kuemper Set for World Championship

GLENDALE --Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and goalie Darcy Kuemper will compete for their countries at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, which begins Friday in Denmark.
Ekman-Larsson will serve as an alternate captain for Team Sweden, which is looking to win back-to-back gold medals at the annual tournament for the first time since 1991-92. Ekman-Larsson played for Sweden last year, and also in 2011 and 2015. He has produced five goals and 16 assists in 23 IIHF World Championship games.

"I kind of want to get used to playing at that time of the year because I think we're going to be back in the playoffs here soon," Ekman-Larsson told reporters soon after the season ended. "I kind of want my body to get used to that. That's why I'm going to play Worlds. And to have some fun."
Ekman-Larsson will be joined on Sweden's blue line by other NHLers including John Klingberg of the Dallas Stars and Adam Larsson of the Edmonton Oilers.
Sweden, which is competing in Group A, will begin its bid for a repeat vs. Belarus on Friday. Fans can watch the game on NHL Network starting at 11 a.m. (Arizona time).
Kuemper, who will be making his debut at the tournament, is expected to share Team Canada's net with Curtis McElhinney of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"I just want to go out there and play hard for the guys," Kuemper told TSN, after stopping 15 of 16 shots over two periods in Canada's final practice game before the tournament begins. "When the coaches call our names, we're going to be ready to go. I'm sure we both really want to play, but it's about helping the team and doing what we can to get wins."

Canada, which is competing in Group B, will begin play Friday vs. Team USA. Fans can watch the game on NHL Network starting at 7 a.m. (Arizona time).
"Darcy needs experiences and he needs to play through some of these opportunities where he can be 'the guy' and be relied upon," Coyotes General Manager John Chayka said. "I think this is a great opportunity for him to do that for his country. We believe in him, obviously, and if he can get his game to where we know it can be, we can have a great 1-2 punch on our team next year."
The 2018 IIHF World Championship will run from May 4-20 in Denmark. The annual tournament features 16 teams from around the globe. Many NHL players not competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs will participate.
• Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson will not be competing for Team Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Championship so he can focus on recovering from a core injury he suffered late in the season. Hjalmarsson suffered the injury vs. Carolina on March 22.
"Usually I don't hit the ice until mid-August, but with my injury situation I will hit the ice earlier," Hjalmarsson said before heading home to Sweden after the season. "I had higher hopes about myself this year in my first year in Arizona. A lot of injuries and my game was up and down, I feel. I have a lot to improve on for next year, and it's going to be a long summer to get my body back to where I want it to be. I will be ready to go for next season."
Hjalmarsson, an alternate captain, notched one goal and eight assists in 48 games this season, his first with the Coyotes. He also blocked 118 shots, and his 2.5 blocks per game led the team.

• Prospect MacKenzie Entwistle and his Hamilton teammates have reached the championship series of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.
Hamilton will play Sault Ste. Marie in a best-of-seven series starting Thursday at Sault Ste. Marie. The team that wins the series will represent the OHL at the 2018 Memorial Cup tournament.
Entwistle, a forward whom Arizona drafted 69th overall in 2017, has notched 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 15 playoff games.

Meanwhile, prospect Tyler Steenbergen and his Swift Current teammates have reached the championship series of the Western Hockey League playoffs.
Swift Current will play Everett in a best-of-seven series starting Friday at Swift Current. The team that wins the series will represent the WHL at the 2018 Memorial Cup tournament.
Steenbergen, whom Arizona drafted 128th overall in 2017 has notched 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 20 playoff games. That ranks second for Swift Current in playoff production and seventh in the WHL.

• The Coyotes announced this week that the club will not renew Assistant General Manager Chris O'Hearn's contract for next season.