Charlie Lindgren is joining Team USA at the 2024 IIHF World Championship after all. Previously, the Capitals’ number-one netminder from the 2023-24 season turned down an invitation to rest up for next season and go turkey hunting with his grandfather in Minnesota.
The Capitals announced Lindgren’s new plans on Saturday morning.
Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren will represent the United States at the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Czechia.
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 18, 2024
Team USA needed a replacement after starting goaltender Alex Lyon suffered an injury early on in the tournament, giving them only two netminders. Lindgren will arrive in Czechia where he will likely take the starting reins over Detroit Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Alex Nedeljkovic.
Lindgren is coming off a career year in the NHL where he posted a 25-16-7 record with a 2.67 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage, and six shutouts. According to the Capitals’ Mike Vogel, no NHL goaltender started more games (34 of 43), played in more games (35), or logged more minutes (2,005) than Lindgren from January 13 to the end of the season. He also started all four playoff games for the Caps.
The 30-year-old backstop previously represented the US at the 2018 IIHF World Championship but did not appear in a game. He joins up with a US team this year that already features top Capitals prospect, Ryan Leonard.
Team USA currently sits second in Group B after a 4-1 win over Poland on Friday. They have amassed a 3-1-1 overall record with a regulation loss to Sweden and an overtime loss to Martin Fehervary’s Slovakian team.
Lindgren’s first chance to dress for his country will come on Sunday against Kazakhstan. The US then finishes group play with a game against Latvia before the tournament quarterfinals begin on May 23.
Here’s the Capitals’ press release:
Charlie Lindgren to Represent United States at 2024 IIHF World Championship
Goaltender to join Team USA in Czechia following a career year with the Capitals
ARLINGTON, Va. – Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren will represent the United States at the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Czechia, president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Lindgren, 30, posted a record of 25-16-7 with a 2.67 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and six shutouts in 50 games with the Capitals this season. The Lakeville, Minnesota native set single-season career highs in games played, starts (48), wins and shutouts. Lindgren’s six shutouts tied for the League lead, and he ranked eighth in save percentage and ninth in goals-against average among goaltenders with 50 or more games played. The 6’2”, 185-pound goaltender started 19 of Washington’s final 22 regular-season games, posting a record of 12-6-2 with a 2.39 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and three shutouts. Lindgren’s 12 wins from March 7 through the end of the regular season ranked first in the NHL, while his three shutouts were tied for first. Lindgren, who made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut on April 21 against the New York Rangers, started all four of the Capitals’ postseason contests.
In 110 career NHL games with Washington, the St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens, Lindgren has a record of 53-39-12 with a 2.79 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage and eight shutouts.
Lindgren attended St. Cloud State University (NCAA), where he posted a 51-29-3 record with a 2.21 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage and eight shutouts in 88 games over three seasons. During the 2015-16 season, Lindgren was selected to the NCHC First All-Star Team, the NCAA (West) First All-American Team and named NCHC Goaltender of the Year.
Lindgren previously represented the U.S. at the 2018 IIHF World Championship but did not appear in a game.
