USA adds Lindgren to IIHF Men’s World Championship roster

The Red, White & Blue are making a late addition to their roster to fill a hole.

On Saturday, USA Hockey announced that goaltender Charlie Lindgren has been added to the men’s national team roster at the IIHF Men’s World Championship.

The opening for a spot between the pipes came to be when Detroit Red Wings netminder Alex Lyon was injured during this past Saturday’s game against Germany. Early in the second period, Lyon made a couple of saves during a sequence, but would leave the game shortly thereafter. It was later announced that he returned to the U.S. after being ruled out due to injury, potentially to his glove hand.

This will be the second time Lindgren has had the chance to represent his country. He was on the 2019 world championship roster that took home the bronze medal, though Lindgren did not appear in any games. It is hard to picture him getting into any action in Czechia, joining the team so late, and the team seemingly giving the reins to Michigan State goaltender Trey Augustine.

Lindgren has had some time away from the ice after he and the Washington Capitals were swept out of the first round by the President’s Trophy-winning New York Rangers. The Lakeville, Minnesota native was coming off the best season of his NHL career, posting a 25-16-7 record during the regular season, registering a 2.67 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage with six shutouts–tied for most in the league.

Lindgren was a big reason Washington was able to rally in the late stages of the season to snatch the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The United States is currently second in Group B with a 3-1-1 record, five points back of undefeated Sweden. They have two games remaining, including a matchup with Kazakhstan on Sunday.