Now it has hit - The Lions get powerful reinforcements from the NHL for the World Championships!

The Finnish national ice hockey team will receive two fierce NHL reinforcements for the upcoming World Championships in spring, as Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov and forward Anton Lundell join the Lions.

According to the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, the players will join the team about a week before the World Championships held in Switzerland. Before that, they will participate in the EHT tournament held in Sweden.

Barkov, who has been sidelined for the entire season due to knee surgery, is excited to join the Lions.

– Representing Finland has always been an honor for me. It’s great to get to play and join the Lions’ journey, Barkov says in a statement.

Barkov is expected to be one of head coach Antti Pennanen‘s key figures in the World Championships.

– Barkov brings us leadership, experience, and world-class skills. As a respected player and a well-liked person, he brings a lot of good to the team. It’s incredibly great that he absolutely wanted to join the World Championships, even after a long injury, Pennanen says.

Barkov last played for the Lions in February 2025 at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Previously, he participated in the World Championships in 2015 and 2016.

Lundell played for the Finnish team at the Milano-Cortina Olympics and at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in 2025. He last played in the Men’s World Championships in the spring of 2021.

– It’s great to have Lundell join the team. He is an intelligent and versatile player, an excellent addition to our offense, Pennanen says.