Slovakia names WC roster

Nine players had to leave the Slovak national team after Škoda Cup in Bratislava. They are defensmen Milan Hruška, Vladimír Mihálik, Peter Mikuš, Richard Stehlík and forwards Martin Cibák, Milan Kytnár and Vladmír Dravecký. Reversely, defender Dominik Graňák is going to join the team.

Head coach of Slovakia Vladimír Vůjtek said it was hard to choose which players won't go to Finland. "The difference between guys what stays in team and the others is not big," a Czech-native coach said.

Vůjtek saves a free-spot in the dressing-room for currently injured Michal Handzuš. In the case of the New York Rangers relegation from the Stanley Cup Playoffs second round Marián Gáborík might empower the team as well.

The Slovakia roster
Goalies:
Peter Hamerlík
Július Hudáček
Ján Laco

Defensemen:
Ivan Baranka
Michal Sersen
Tomáš Starosta
René Vydarený
Kristián Kudroč
Andrej Sekera
Zdeno Chára
Dominik Graňák

Forwards:
Milan Bartovič
Mario Bližňák
Marcel Hossa
Marek Hovorka
Juraj Mikúš
Tomáš Surový
Rastislav Špirko
Branko Radivojevič
Michel Miklík
Marcel Haščák
Lubor Hudáček
Miroslav Šatan
Tomáš Tatar
Tomáš Kopecký