Rasmus Sandin to represent Sweden at IIHF World Championship

Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin will represent Team Sweden at the 2023 IIHF World Championship in Finland and Latvia. The 23 year old recorded a career high 35 points with seven goals and 28 assists in 71 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Caps this season.

The five foot 11, 182 pound defenseman recorded 15 points in 19 games with Washington with three goals and 12 assists after being acquired from Toronto on Feb. 28 including three assists in his Capitals debut on March 4 at San Jose.

Sandin became the first defenseman and seventh skater in franchise history to record three points in his first game with Washington and required the fewest games (seven) for a defenseman to reach 10 points in franchise history.

Sandin set career highs in games played with 71, seven goals, 28 assists and 35 points in 2022-23, more than doubling his previous career high point total where he had 16 points the previous year.

In addition, Sandin ranked second on the Capitals in time on ice per game with 22:59 minutes and third in points with 15 over Washington’s final 19 regular season games.

In 159 career NHL games with Toronto and Washington, Sandin has recorded 63 points with 13 goals and 50 assists.

Sandin previously represented Sweden at the 2019 and 2020 World Junior Championships, earning a bronze medal in 2020. The Uppsala, Sweden native recorded 10 points with three goals and seven assists in seven games during the 2020 tournament which led all defensemen and was named the tournament’s top defenseman.

Sandin also participated in the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup, helping Sweden to the bronze medal, and captained Sweden to the gold medal at the 2016 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge.

So far, Sandin is the only Caps player to represent the team overseas in the IIHF World Championships. Others are opting not to participate to get the rest they need and a head start on training for next season. For Sandin, he continues his impressive season and looks to bring it to the world stage.