GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen made his 2010 IIHF World Championship debut with Norway on Friday, becoming the ninth former Grand Rapids Griffins player to participate in the tournament.

Tollefsen, who scored one goal in 16 games with the Griffins this season, also played for Norway during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, becoming one of just four players in Grand Rapids franchise history to compete in the Olympics as an active Griffin.

Eight other Griffins alumni are participating in the tournament in Germany, including Belarus’ Sergei Kolosov (2008-10), the Czech Republic’s Karel Rachunek (1999-00), Kazakhstan’s Konstantin Shafranov (1999-00), Slovakia’s Ivan Ciernik (1999-02) and Tomas Tatar (2009-10), Sweden’s Jonathan Ericsson (2006-09) and Michael Nylander (2009-10), and Switzerland’s Julien Vauclair (2001-02).

Complete rosters, statistics and results for the 2010 IIHF World Championship can be found at iihf.com. The qualification and relegation rounds of the tournament continue through May 18, followed by the quarterfinals (May 20), semifinals (May 22), bronze medal game (May 23) and gold medal game (May 23).