Blue Jackets updates: IIHF World Championship

The Blue Jackets’ season is over, but there is still hockey to be played as nine members of the organization are taking part in the IIHF World Championships, being held in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia, starting today through May 26.

Sixteen countries are taking part in the annual championship to crown a champion, with Team USA hoping to capture its first gold medal at the tournament since 1960. Canada is looking to defend its gold medal won last year in the tournament held in Finland and Latvia, while Finland won it all in 2022.

Five CBJ skaters are taking part, including three with Team USA in alternate captain Zach Werenski as well as forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Gavin Brindley. Defenseman Damon Severson is on Team Canada, while goalie Elvis Merzlikins is representing Latvia.

In addition, CBJ director of player development Rick Nash is the general manager for the Canadian squad for the first time. Also off the ice, the Blue Jackets are well represented on the United States squad by trainer Mike Vogt and equipment managers Jamie Healy and Dustin Halstead.

With each team playing in seven round-robin games, preliminary play at the event continues through May 21, with quarterfinals May 23, semifinals May 25 and the medal games May 26.

Stay tuned to this page for updates on the CBJ contingent.

Tournament Stats

Werenski (USA): 3 GP, 1-0-1, +2, 8 SOG, 25:12 TOI

Gaudreau (USA): 3 GP, 1-3-4, +1, 8 SOG, 18:51 TOI

Brindley (USA): 0 GP

Severson (Canada): 3 GP, 0-0-0, Even +/-, 8 SOG, 18:48 TOI

Merzlikins (Latvia), 2-0-0, 3 GP, 3.65 GAA, .861 SV%

Thursday's CBJ Schedule

Canada (Severson) vs. Norway, 2:20 p.m. ET

United States (Werenski, Gaudreau, Brindley) vs. France, 2:20 p.m. ET

Friday's CBJ Schedule

United States (Werenski, Gaudreau, Brindley) vs. Poland, 2:20 p.m. ET

CBJ Updates

Friday, May 10

Team USA opened up its tournament Friday with a setback, falling to Sweden by a 5-2 score. The good news for Blue Jackets players is both Zach Werenski and Johnny Gaudreau got on the board, Werenski with a goal that cut the lead to 2-1 in the second period and Gaudreau with an assist.

Saturday, May 11

It was a busy day at the Worlds for the CBJ contingent, with the United States posting a 6-1 win over Germany, Canada downing Great Britain by a 4-2 score, and Latvia taking a 5-4 overtime win over Poland.

Johnny Gaudreau was the star of the day for the group, posting a goal and an assist to lead the way. His tally midway through the second period gave the Americans a 3-0 lead in their first win of the tournament.

Severson played in his first game of the tournament for Canada, while Merzlikins got the OT win in net for Latvia.

Sunday, May 12

Team USA was off, while Damon Severson and Elvis Merzlikins emerged victorious in Sunday's action.

Merzlikins got the start for a second straight day in net and turned in a standout performance in Latvia's 3-2 win over France, making 27 saves before the Latvians won in overtime on Kaspars Daugavins' tally. Meanwhile, Severson and Canada eased to a 5-1 win over Denmark to improve to 2-0.

Monday, May 13

The United States was the only team with CBJ players in action, and the Americans staged a furious rally before falling 5-4 to Slovakia in overtime. Third-period goals from Shane Pinto, Brady Tkachuk and Luke Hughes erased a 4-1 deficit before the Slovaks won on Milos Kelemin's deflection. Zach Werenski was plus-2, while Johnny Gaudreau had an assist but also took a hard hit in the third period. He did return.

Tuesday, May 14

Canada and Austria may have played the game of the tournament Tuesday, but it might not have been fun for Damon Severson.

Canada held a 6-1 lead after two periods and then watched the Austrians storm all the way back with five goals in the third to send the game to overtime at 6-6. Thankfully for Canada, John Tavares played the OT hero to give the country the win, while Severson finished without a point for the third straight game.

Latvia also took to the ice for a 2-0 win over Kazakhstan, but Elvis Merzlikins was given the game off with Kristers Gudlevskis taking the cage for the shutout.

Wednesday, May 15

It was a light schedule for CBJ on Wednesday, with only Latvia and Elvis Merzlikins on the schedule. Even Merzlikins was expected to have the day off as Kristers Gudlevskis got the start in net, but he was chased from the game after Germany took a 4-0 lead. Merzlikins didn't fare much better in relief, allowing four goals on 21 shots against in an 8-1 setback.