Granlund, Koivu Named To Finnish Olympic Team
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — As many as five Minnesota Wild players will play for their native countries in the Winter Olympics next month.
Forwards Mikael Granlund and Mikko Koivu were named Tuesday to Finland's roster. Koivu's participation is in question because of a broken ankle he suffered Saturday and had surgery to fix Monday.
Forward Nino Niederreiter was also picked for Switzerland's team. Forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter were previously announced as members of the U.S. team.
Granlund and Niederreiter will be first-time Olympians. The games in Sochi, Russia, start Feb. 6.
Also Tuesday, the Wild announced forwards Jason Pominville and Dany Heatley will wear "A'' patches on their jerseys to serve as alternate captains. Parise and Koivu, the lead captain, are out with foot injuries.
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