Samuel Ersson has been named to Team Sweden's roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The Philadelphia Flyers goalie will replace Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils, who is expected to be out 4-6 weeks because of a sprained MCL in his knee sustained Jan. 22.
The 4 Nations Face-Off, the first best-on-best tournament to feature NHL players since the World Cup of Hockey 2016, will be held Feb. 12-20 at Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston. Sweden's first game is against Team Canada on Feb. 12 (8 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS).
Ersson is 15-9-2 with a 2.86 goals-against average, .890 save percentage and two shutouts in 28 games (27 starts) after Wednesday's 5-0 loss to the Devils. Since returning Jan. 9 from missing three games because of a lower-body injury, he's 6-3-0 with a 2.56 GAA, .901 save percentage and one shutout in nine games, allowing three goals or fewer in seven of them.
“I'm happy for all our guys who are able to represent Philly and their country,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said. “Those situations are really cool for the players. I like to see my guys get some rest, but playing for your country, that trumps everything.”
Philadelphia forward Travis Konecny (Canada), and defensemen Travis Sanheim (Canada) and Rasmus Ristolainen (Finland) will also compete in the tournament.
The 25-year-old has international experience, including going 3-1-0 with a 1.44 GAA and .891 save percentage in four games to help Sweden win a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. Ersson will join Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild and Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators as Sweden's goalies for the tournament.
Markstrom is 21-9-5 with a 2.20 GAA, .912 save percentage and three shutouts in 36 games.
