Vice world champion Nico Sturm wants to play for the national team again this year and take part in the Ice Hockey World Championships.
“The fitness level has to be there, just like last year. I have to be healthy. But otherwise I would of course be really keen again, I would be very happy,” said the 28-year-old from Augsburg to the German Press Agency after his victory San Jose Sharks at Los Angeles Kings.
Sturm made his national team debut last year and was one of the most important players in the squad on the way to the silver medal. He scored six goals. This year’s World Cup is in the Czech Republic in May.
Sturm had not played in the NHL for more than a month and only made his comeback on Saturday after an operation on his hand.
The Sharks, the bottom team in the NHL, have won both games since then. Because participation in the playoffs is almost impossible, Sturm can in principle plan to take part in the World Cup. “Yes, you can say that,” he said.