The 23-year-old defenseman will play for his country at Worlds after a career year.
ARLINGTON, V.A. -- The Washington Capitals will see one of their top defensemen take the ice at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, as Rasmus Sandin will play for Sweden in May.
Sandin previously played for his nation in the 2019 and 2020 World Junior Championships, winning bronze in 2020.
Sandin is the first Capitals player to accept an invitation to play at Worlds. Nicklas Backstrom turned down his invitation to play for Sweden as he looks to continue working to regain strength in his left leg and continue improving following hip resurfacing surgery. Darcy Kuemper elected to pass on playing for Team Canada.
The 23-year-old is coming off a career year that saw him record 35 points in 71 games with Washington and the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. He had three goals and 19 assists for 17 points in 19 games after being traded to D.C., and he required the fewest games (seven) for a defenseman to reach 10 points in franchise history.
"It's always fun to produce, stuff like that, but I mean, at some point, I think some areas of the game haven't been where I want it to be," Sandin said. "And obviously we haven't won enough games either in the last couple of weeks. So something we need to get better at, but it's fun when you get to produce and help the team in that way."
Sandin, whose contract expires at the end of next season, also said he wants to remain with the Capitals organization long-term.
"Hopefully, first off, I hope I get to stay here for a very long time. Secondly, I mean, I hope to be a two-way defenseman that the team can rely on in any type of situation," Sandin said, adding, "Hopefully, within my prime, I can be [that player]."
The IIHF World Championship kicks off on May 12 and goes until May 28.