Rasmus Andersson is taking his stare-down to the international stage.
The Calgary Flames’ workhorse defenceman has been selected to Sweden’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Andersson, 28, told Postmedia earlier this fall that it would be “an extreme honour” to represent his country. The 4 Nations Face-Off, which also features squads from Canada, Finland and U.S., is slated for Feb. 12-20.
“If he is fortunate enough to be announced on that roster, you’re now playing against the best of the best,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska prior to Wednesday’s roster unveils. “I know there’s a country or two missing in there, but these are the best players. And when you find yourself in that category, I think it allows you to puff your chest up a little bit. It is recognition of what he’s done over the years and how he’s made himself a better player.
“I think when you get someone who gets to go to an event like that, he’ll come back with a little bit more swagger and a little bit more confidence and maybe more of a belief knowing that that, ‘Yep, I am one of the elite players in the league.’ And when you get that, there’s a tendency for them to bring other people along. That’s why we’re all hopeful that he makes that team.”
Andersson has been Mr. Do-It-All for the Flames this fall.
He is averaging a team-high 24:47 per night. Across the NHL, there are only nine dudes logging more ice time.
Andersson leads the loop with 77 blocked shots and has also been a key piece of Calgary’s offensive attack, with six goals — the bulk of those followed by his one-of-a-kind stare-down celebration — and nine assists in 26 outings. (After Tuesday’s emotional victory, Mikael Backlund was sporting a custom T-shirt that read: ‘Rasmus Andersson stared at me.’ Backlund was also in consideration for a spot on the Swedish roster but was ultimately not among those named.)
Andersson, whose leadership has been on full display as the Flames paid tribute this week to the late Johnny Gaudreau, last represented the Tre Kronor at Under-18 Worlds in 2014.
Hurtig headed to world juniors
Sweden also revealed its world junior roster Wednesday, and Flames prospect Axel Hurtig is on the list.
Hurtig, 19, is currently skating with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. His plus-18 rating, tops on his team, is an impressive stat when you consider he is typically tasked with going toe-to-toe with the top talents on the other side.
The stay-at-home defenceman has notched one goal and five points in 25 games so far this season.
“I’m excited for Axel,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy, who selected Hurtig in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft. “Talking to him, he feels they’re going to have a really good team. And for him to be a part of that and to get that whole world junior experience … I never got to do it myself (as a player) but now on this side, I’ve gone to the world juniors for all these years and I’ve seen what an amazing tournament it is and what it can do for a kid’s confidence, too, to be a part of something like that.”