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Blackhawks' prospect Ville Pokka to play for Finland at 2016 World Championships

The 21-year-old defenseman will play in the tournament for the first time.

By Brandon M. Cain
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Blackhawks prospect Ville Pokka will play for Finland at the 2016 World Championships, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association announced Thursday. The tournament will take place from May 6 through May 22 in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Pokka, 21, scored 10 goals with 35 assists in 76 games for the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL this past season. He added an assist in three playoff games. Chicago acquired Pokka in multiplayer trade in October 2014 from the New York Islanders in exchange for Nick Leddy and Kent Simpson. The Islanders drafted Pokka with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NHL Draft.

The Torino, Finland native has represented Finland several times on the international stage, including at this year's World Junior Championships where he tallied a goal and three assists in seven games as Finland won gold.

Pokka is the sixth Blackhawk named to a tournament squad, joining Christian Ehrhoff (Germany), Erik Gustafsson (Sweden), Vincent Hinostroza and Tyler Motte (United States) and Artemi Panarin (Russia).