Andersson scores game-winner for Flames, then gets named to Swedish national team for 4 Nations
It was a wild 24 hours for the Flames’ Swedish defenceman Rasmus Andersson.
Tuesday night, he scored the game-winning goal as the Flames dumped the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-0 in an emotional game where the Flames paid tribute to the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
Then Wednesday morning, Andersson discovered he’s been named to the Swedish roster for the upcoming Four Nations tournament.
It’s a huge honour and well-deserved for the Flames defenceman, who said he was thrilled to be able to play on his national team for the first time since he represented Sweden in a U-16 tournament a decade ago.
“It means a lot,” he said. “It means you’ve done something good. It’s the first time in a long time that I get to play on the national team and it’s something I’m super excited about.
“I couldn’t be more happy and proud that I’ve made the team and I’m really looking forward to (playing) in this tournament.”
Flames head coach Ryan Huska said the nod was overdue and welcome.
“It is some recognition of what he has done over the years and how he’s made himself a better player,” Huska said.
“When you get someone who gets to go to an event like this, he comes back with a little bit more swagger, a little bit more confidence and maybe more of a belief knowing that yep, I am one of the elite players in the league – and when you get that (sort of recognition), there’s a tendency to bring other people along.”
The other Flames player with a chance to be named to the Swedish roster was Mikael Backlund but he wasn't.
A half-dozen former Flames were named to teams, including Jakob Markstrom (Sweden) and Elias Lindholm (Sweden), Matthew Tkachuk (U.S.), Noah Hanifin (U.S.), Sam Bennett (Canada) and Juuso Valimaki (Finland).
Former Calgarians Cale Makar and goaltender Adin Hill were also named to the Canadian roster.
The tournament features teams from Canada, the U.S., Finland and Sweden. The first game, between Finland and the U.S., takes place Feb. 13 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
With files from CTV's Glenn Campbell
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winter storms, wind and freezing rain: Hazardous conditions expected in some parts of Canada
Hazardous conditions are expected in some parts of Canada this week.
GST break could cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces don't waive compensation: PBO
The parliamentary budget officer says the federal government's GST holiday could cost as much as $2.7 billion, if provinces don't waive their entitlement to compensation.
Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days
A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days.
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.
Police search for three men who escaped from immigration holding centre in Quebec
Authorities are searching for three Chilean nationals who escaped from the Laval Immigration Holding Centre north of Montreal.
Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game
The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate.
Celebrities spotted at Taylor Swift's final Eras Tour performance in Vancouver
Taylor Swift fans from around the world gathered in Vancouver on Sunday to witness the final performance of her massively popular Eras Tour, including a few celebrities.
'Emilia Perez' leads Golden Globe nominations with 10, followed by 'The Brutalist' and 'Conclave'
Jacques Audiard's audacious musical 'Emilia Perez,' about a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender affirming surgery to become a woman, led nominations to the 82nd Golden Globes on Monday, scoring 10 nods.
BoC expected to lower interest rates again, with odds leaning toward larger cut
Financial markets and forecasters are betting on another jumbo interest rate cut from the Bank of Canada this week.