33 former ECHL players participating in 2024 IIHF World Championship

The ECHL is represented by 33 players in the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship, which begins today and runs through May 26 in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia.

There is at least one former ECHL player on 13 of the 16 teams in the tournament, led by eight players appearing on the roster for Great Britain and seven players with Latvia. Two players who played in the ECHL this season are participating in the tournament – France’s Louis Boudon (Iowa) and Julian Junca (Tulsa).

Seven coaches in the tournament have ECHL experience - Assistant Coach Jay Woodcroft  and Goaltending Consultant Justin Pogge of Canada; Assistant Coaches Corey Neilson and Chuck Weber of Great Britain and Assistant Coaches Jack Capuano and Derek Lalonde and Goaltending Coach Alex Westlund of the United States.

In addition, five officials who have officiated in the ECHL have been selected to work the tournament with referee Sean MacFarlane and linesmen Kevin Briganti, Nick Briganti, Shane Gustafson and Tarrington Wyonzek.

Former ECHL players and coaches participating in 2024 IIHF World Championships:

Austria – Peter Schneider (Indy, 2014-16; Florida, 2016-17 and Kalamazoo, 2016-18)

Canada – Assistant Coach Jay Woodcroft (Jackson, 1999-2000), Goaltending Consultant Justin Pogge (Bakersfield, 2009-10), Jordan Binnington (Kalamazoo, 2013-14) and Michael Bunting (Rapid City, 2015-16)

Czechia – Petr Mrazek (Toledo, 2012-13)

Denmark – Mikkel Aagaard (Adirondack, 2016-17 and Manchester, 2017-18)

Finland – Emil Larmi (Wheeling, 2019-20) and Vili Saarijarvi (Toledo, 2015-16 and 2017-18)

France – Louis Boudon (Iowa, 2022-24), Tim Bozon (Brampton, 2015-16 and Manchester, 2016-17) and Julian Junca (Tulsa, 2023-24)

Germany – Philipp Grubauer (South Carolina, 2011-12 and Reading, 2012-13), Mathias Niederberger (Ontario, 2013-14) and Frederik Tiffels (Wheeling, 2017-18)

Great Britain – Assistant Coach Corey Neilson (Louisiana, 1999-2002; Pensacola, 2003-06 and Florida, 2005-06), Assistant Coach Chuck Weber (Trenton, 2001-02; Augusta, 2003-05; Utah, 2005-06; Cincinnati, 2006-10 and Atlanta, 2017-18); Cameron Critchlow (Jacksonville, 2017-19 and 2020-21), Ben Davies (Norfolk, 2016-17), Liam Kirk (Atlanta, 2022-23), Ben Lake (Alaska, 2015-17), Brett Perlini (Bakersfield, 2012-13; Greenville, 2013-14; Toledo, 2013-14; Indy, 2014-15; Fort Wayne, 2014-17; Rapid City, 2016-17 and Wichita, 2016-17), Evan Mosey (Indy, 2016-17), Dave Phillips (Toledo, 2009-11 and Gwinnett, 2010-11) and Sam Ruopp (Allen, 2020-21)

Latvia – Rodrigo Abols (Greenville, 2019-20); Rihards Bukarts (Manchester, 2016-17); Martins Dzierkals (Orlando, 2017-18); Ralfs Freibergs (Ontario, 2014-15 and Toledo, 2015-16); Kristers Gudlevskis (Florida, 2013-14); Renars Krastenbergs (Wheeling, 2018-20) and Eduards Tralmaks (Maine, 2021-23)

Norway – Christian Kasastul (Greenville, 2021-23)

Poland – Alan Lyszczarczyk (Fort Wayne, 2019-21; Orlando, 2020-21 and Tulsa, 2020-21) and John Murray (Reading, 2007-08; Ontario, 2008-09; Mississippi, 2008-09; Victoria, 2009-10 and Johnstown, 2009-10)

Sweden – Filip Gustavsson (Brampton, 2018-19)

United States – Assistant Coach Jack Capuano (Tallahassee, 1995-97; Knoxville, 1996-97 and Pee Dee, 1997-2005); Assistant Coach Derek Lalonde (Toledo, 2014-16); Goaltending Coach Alex Westlund (Dayton, 1999-2001; Toledo, 2001-02; Cincinnati, 2001-02; Trenton, 2003-04; Charlotte, 2004-05 and 2006-07 and Wheeling, 2013-14) and Alex Nedeljkovic (Florida, 2014-15 and 2016-17)