Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and forward Rickard Rakell were selected for Sweden’s Olympic roster on Friday.
The Swedish Ice Hockey Association announced its team via a release.
Karlsson has skated in 39 games this season and has scored 30 points (three goals, 27 assists) while averaging 23:47 of ice time per contest.
One of the most prolific defensemen in the history of the NHL, Karlsson has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy, which recognizes the league’s top defenseman, three times.
A right-handed shot, Karlsson has represented Sweden in several international tournaments, including the 2014 Olympics, when his country won silver.
Rakell has played in 19 games this season and has posted 13 points (four goals, nine assists) while clocking an average of 18:43 of ice time per contest.
A right-handed shot, Rakell has been an NHL All-Star selection once (2018).
Rakell has also skated for Sweden in international tournaments. Most recently, he represented his country in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off exhibition tournament last season.
Penguins players who were previously named to their respective Olympic rosters were forward Sidney Crosby (Canada) and goaltender Arturs Silovs (Latvia).
Kyle Dubas, the Penguins’ president of hockey operations, is serving as a director of player personnel with Hockey Canada. Penguins video coach Madison Nikkel will serve in the same capacity for USA Hockey.
New York Rangers forwards J.T. Miller of Coraopolis and Vince Trocheck of Upper St. Clair were named to the United States’ roster.
The NHL will pause its season between Feb. 6 and 24 for the Olympic tournament, which will be staged in Milan.
