Panarin will assist host Russia at World Championship

After his most taxing season, Artemi Panarin is springing for more hockey.

Panarin told reporters Wednesday in his season-end scrum that he'll make his way back to Russia to represent the host nation at next month's World Championship.

The Calder Trophy front-runner had a wildly successful debut season on this side of the Atlantic, reaching the 30-goal plateau and finishing in a tie for ninth league-wide with 77 points.

Panarin was part of Russia's silver medal-winning roster from last year in the Czech Republic, and won a gold as a world junior in 2011.