Timo Meier will play his first IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship for Switzerland the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation confirmed on Tuesday.

The San Jose Sharks gave green light last night for the 21-year-old forward, who is already on his way to Copenhagen.

The native of Herisau was the Sharks' first-round draft pick (9th overall) in 2015 and concluded his second NHL season. In 81 games he scored 21 goals and had 15 assists. He also had two goals and

three assists in the playoffs where the Sharks lost to the Vegas Golden Knights.

For Meier it will be his first event with the men's national team. Before moving to North America he played in one U18 World Championship and later in two World Junior Championships.

When adding Meier, Switzerland will still have two open spots for skaters on their roster. The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation also decided that Dave Sutter, who was practising with the team but was

not registered on the roster, will leave the team and travel back to Switzerland.

Switzerland will play the Czech Republic tonight at 20:15 and Belarus the day after.

MARTIN MERK

http://https://www.new-iihf.com/en/events/2018/wm/news/2541/timo-meier-joins-swiss
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