Blackhawks center Artem Anisimov will play for Russia at the World Championship in May in Slovakia, the Russian Hockey Federation announced Thursday.
Anisimov, who turns 31 on May 24, is coming off his fourth season with the Blackhawks in which he scored 15 goals and 37 points in 78 games. It’s the first time in his time with Chicago that he hasn’t hit the 20-goal mark.
It’ll be the sixth time Anisimov will play in the Worlds tournament. He won gold in 2014 and silver in 2010 and 2015. In 45 games at Worlds, Anisimov has scored six goals and 14 points.
Blackhawks 2011 fourth-round pick Max Shalunov could join Anisimov at the tournament. Shalunov is with CSKA Moscow as the team prepares to play Avangard Omsk in the KHL’s Gagarin Cup Final.
Swedish center Marcus Kruger has also confirmed he will playing at Worlds. He won gold in 2017 and silver in 2011, but did not suit up last year.
Sweden will be looking for its third straight gold in the tournament that runs from May 10-26.