Photo: Chris Gordon

For the first time in their respective careers, Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov, and Evgeny Kuznetsov will all play together on Russia’s national team. As first reported by Yahoo Sports’ Dmitry Chesnokov, Ovechkin announced the news after the conclusion of the Caps’ season-ending shootout loss to the Lightning.

The World Championships, which will be held this year in Minsk, Belarus, begin on May 9th and end May 25th.

Team Russia, who did not medal in the Sochi Olympics, also did not medal in last year’s World Championships held in Finland. Ovechkin played only one game last year, Russia’s 8-3 quarterfinals loss to the United States. He scored a goal and was named the team’s best player, despite a broken foot. The year before in 2012, Russia won the whole dang tournament. Ovechkin and Kuznetsov were both on that roster.

The 22-year-old Orlov, who finished the year as the Caps second best defenseman in terms of puck possession, will represent Russia at the (all ages) World Championships for the first time in his career.

The last time he played for his country was in the Under-20 2011 World Championships held in Canada. Orlov played with fellow 18-year-old Evgeny Kuznetsov. The two won gold together.