"I leave for Germany Wednesday," said Grubauer, who posted 18 wins for the Kraken this season, including two road shutouts. "I will meet the team for practices and the final exhibition game is May 8th. Then we fly to Finland with our first game against Canada May 13."
Germany and Canada are in Group A, which also includes Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Italy and France. Group B features host Finland, USA, Czechia, Sweden, Latvia, Norway, Great Britain and Austria. Eight teams qualify for the quarterfinals in late May with the gold-medal game scheduled for May 29.
Grubauer will be joining a squad considered one of the strongest in Group A, in part due to the star potential of forward Tim Stutzle and defenseman Moritz Seider. Stutzle, 20, scored 22 goals and added 36 assists for Ottawa during his second NHL season. The 21-year-old Seider notched seven goals and 43 assists as a rookie defenseman who is expected to be a fixture for the Detroit Red Wings for seasons ahead.
"I haven't been part of the national team in three or four years," said Grubauer, "back when I played with a different group. I know the players, such as Tim Stutzle, and I played with Moritz [Seider] once.
"It's going to be a little tricky, that's why it's important for me to go right away, get a couple practices in with the group, getting to know what their tendencies are. I think we have a really good team."
Grubauer started a career-high 54 NHL games during the Kraken's inaugural season. But he said Monday he feels strong and fresh enough compete for his country. The elite-level competition will no doubt sharpen his game and the tourney's timing provides plenty of time and opportunity to pursue the summer training plan designed by Kraken strength and conditioning coaches.
"I will probably take two to three weeks off [after the World Championship] to let the body heal and let the mind rest, to get away from hockey for a bit," the Kraken's No. 1 goaltender said. "I will be back in Seattle late June, early July, to work the training plan. It will involve mobility, staying flexible, working on things harder to do during the season. You can't lift too heavy during [the hockey year]. I put in the work doing cardio and muscle-building this summer."
