Jets' Laine, Scheifele, Wheeler to skip World Championship

Winnipeg Jets blue chipper Patrik Laine will not represent Finland at the upcoming 2019 IIHF World Championship, according to TSN's Sara Orlesky.

The Finnish sniper said Monday that he was dealing with a back issue during the year and a "small" groin injury during the playoffs, according to The Athletic's Murat Ates.

Laine captured MVP honors at the 2016 World Championship after leading Finland to a silver medal with seven goals and 12 points in 10 games.

Winnipeg teammates Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler also won't represent their respective countries at the event, according to Orlesky.

Scheifele has suited up for Canada at the World Championship on three occasions and captured a gold medal at the tournament in 2016. The Kitchener, Ontario, native last played at the event in 2017, tallying three goals and eight points in 10 games en route to a silver medal.

The 32-year-old Wheeler, born in Plymouth, Minn., last represented the United States at the World Cup of Hockey in 2016. He hasn't played at the World Championship since 2011. At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, he recorded one assist in six contests for the Americans.

The Jets were eliminated from the NHL postseason in six games by the St. Louis Blues in their opening-round series.

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