Four Sharks Selected to Compete in 2018 IIHF World Championships

SAN JOSE - Four San Jose Sharks (

Vlasic (

), 31, recorded a career-high in goals in 2017-18 (11) as well as shots on goal (161) and his 32 points ranked as the third-most in his career. The blueliner took just two minor penalties all season despite ranking second on San Jose in average ice time per game (22:33).
Vlasic led all NHL skaters in blocked shots (38) through the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and his 25:21 of ice time per game ranked second on the Sharks during postseason play.
The six-foot-one, 205-pounder was originally drafted by San Jose in the second round (35th overall) of the
2005 NHL Draft
. He has represented Canada at the World Championships on numerous occasions, including, 2009, 2012 and 2017.
Meier (

), 21, skated in 81 games with San Jose this season, setting NHL career highs in goals (21), assists (15), points (36), penalty minutes (51), game-winning goals (4) and shots on goal (210). He ranked fourth on the Sharks in goals, second in penalty minutes, tied for second in game-winning goals and third in shots in just his second NHL campaign.
The Swiss forward posted two goals and three assists (his first career playoff goals and points) in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games for San Jose.
The six-foot, 200-pound native of Herisau, Switzerland, was selected by San Jose in the first round (ninth overall) of the
2015 NHL Draft
. He has represented Switzerland at numerous international tournaments, but this will be his World Championship debut.
Boedker (

), 28, registered 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists) in 74 games during the 2017-18 season with the Sharks and ranked tied for second on the Sharks in game-winning goals with four. In 618 career NHL games played, he is among the top three in goals (109), assists (179) and points (288) all-time among players from Denmark.
The six-foot, 210-pound native of Brondby, Denmark, has represented his country in numerous international tournaments, including the World Championship in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2014.
Hansen, 32, has skated in 61 regular-season games with the Sharks since he came to San Jose via trade in 2017 and has recorded 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) over that span. In addition, he ranks 1st in all-time plus-minus rating (+48) among NHL players from Denmark.
Hansen has recorded 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 37 World Championship games representing team Denmark in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2016.
The six-foot-one, 195-pound native of Rødovre, Denmark, has played for his country's team in many international tournaments and was awarded Top-3 Player on Team in the 2014 World Championship.