Which Flames Players Might Compete in World Championships?

Several Calgary Flames skaters could represent their home countries at the upcoming IIHF World Championships in Switzerland.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:06pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color scheme, conveying the energy and intensity of international competition.The World Championships offer Flames players a chance to keep competing internationally after their NHL season ends.Chicago Today

The Calgary Flames' 2025-26 NHL season will end on Thursday, but some of their players may continue their seasons by representing their home countries at the upcoming IIHF World Championships in Switzerland. Traditionally, national team rosters at the World Championships are filled with players whose NHL teams missed the playoffs or were eliminated in the first round. The Flames have several American, Czech, Slovak, and Finnish players who could get the call to join their national teams for the tournament, which runs from May 15-31.

Why it matters

The World Championships provide an opportunity for NHL players to keep competing at a high level after their club seasons end. It's a chance for them to represent their countries and continue developing their skills in an international tournament setting. For the Flames, sending players to the Worlds could help those individuals maintain momentum heading into the offseason and next season.

The details

The Flames have a few American players who could join Team USA, including goaltenders Dustin Wolf and Devin Cooley, as well as forward Joel Farabee, who had a strong season in Calgary. Czechia could look to add defenseman Zayne Parekh and forward Adam Klapka, while Slovakia may call up forward Martin Pospisil. Finland is likely to invite defenseman Olli Maatta, the only Flames player to win a medal at the recent Olympics.

  • The 2023 IIHF World Championships will be held from May 15-31 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.
  • The Flames' 2025-26 NHL season will end on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Dustin Wolf

A goaltender for the Calgary Flames who could join the American national team for the World Championships.

Devin Cooley

A goaltender for the Calgary Flames who could join the American national team for the World Championships.

Joel Farabee

A forward for the Calgary Flames who had a strong season and could represent the United States at the World Championships.

Zayne Parekh

A defenseman for the Calgary Flames who could get the chance to play for the Czech national team at the World Championships.

Adam Klapka

A forward for the Calgary Flames who could earn a spot on the Czech national team roster for the World Championships.

Martin Pospisil

A forward for the Calgary Flames who previously represented Slovakia at the Olympics and could do so again at the World Championships.

Olli Maatta

A defenseman for the Calgary Flames who won a medal with Finland at the recent Olympics and could be called up again for the World Championships.

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What they’re saying

“Traditionally, the national team rosters at the World Championships are chock full of players that missed the playoffs or were knocked out in the first round.”

— Ryan Pike, Author

What’s next

The Flames will likely announce which of their players have been invited to represent their national teams at the 2023 IIHF World Championships during the team's end-of-season exit interviews on Friday.

The takeaway

The World Championships provide an opportunity for NHL players whose seasons have ended to continue competing at a high level and represent their home countries. For the Flames, sending several players to the tournament could help those individuals maintain momentum and continue developing their skills heading into the offseason and next season.