Devils' Erik Haula Will Most Likely Not Go To Worlds

NEWARK, N.J. -- While multiple New Jersey Devils players are expected to travel to Prague and Ostrava for the IIHF Men's World Championship, which begins on May 10, veteran Erik Haula will most likely not participate in the tournament.

"I have given it some thought," he said. "I am going to talk to the team there, but I am probably not going to go due to family."

Haula and his wife, Kristen, are parents to Henrik, who was born in early 2021, and welcomed their second son this season.

"Having a young boy of two months," he said. "...Leaving for three weeks is something that would be hard to do, and I can't say I would be 100 percent with my heart for that team, and I can't play hockey like that."

The Haula family will remain in New Jersey for a few weeks before returning to Minnesota, where the veteran begins his offseason training.

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Several of his teammates have confirmed they will participate in the IIHF Men's World Championship, including Simon Nemec ( Slovakia ), Luke Hughes ( U.S.A ), Dawson Mercer ( Canada ), Nico Hischier ( Switzerland ), Jonas Siegenthaler ( Switzerland ), and Akira Schmid ( Switzerland ). Tomas Nosek and Ondrej Palat are attending the Czechia National Team Selection Camp, and Alexander Holtz is on Sweden's roster for their last tune-ups before Worlds is set to begin.