3 Players Named To Team Slovakia's Roster

Team Slovakia has announced their first three players for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Erik Cernak, Jaroslav Halak and Andrej Sekera will be heading to Beijing. 

We love to see the return of some big names to the big ice. #Slovakia will be flexing some muscle with the addition of Andrej Sekera, Erik Cernak and Jaroslav Halak on the @Beijing2022 roster.

More info 👉 https://t.co/ZUknuqtwVb@NHL @DallasStars @TBLightning @Canucks pic.twitter.com/xLfA4HjOux

— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) October 8, 2021

Cernak has blossomed into a very good defenseman and is a key part of the Tampa Bay Lightning's blueline. In 46 games this past season, he scored five goals and recorded 18 points. Yet, he was even better during the postseason, as he scored a goal and had nine assists in 21 games. It's a no-brainer that he's been chosen to play for Team Slovakia and should be their number one defenseman. 

Sekera also will be an important defenseman on Slovakia's roster. This will be his third time playing for Slovakia in the Olympics, so he also will be one of their leaders and potential captain. The 35-year-old scored three goals and had five points in 46 games last season with the Dallas Stars.

Halak being selected was very easy to predict, as he is the one Slovakian goalie in the NHL at this time. Like Sekera, he played during the 2010 and 2014 Olympics. In 19 games last season with the Boston Bruins, he had a 9-6-4 record and .905 SV%. He is looking to bounce back this season with the Vancouver Canucks.

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