Hockey Canada on Tuesday announced the first 19 players who will compete in the 2015 IIHF World Championship. to be held May 1-17 in the Czech Republic.
Goalies Martin Jones (Los Angeles Kings) and Mike Smith (Arizona Coyotes) have been selected, along with five defensemen: Tyson Barrie (Colorado Avalanche), Brent Burns (San Jose Sharks), Aaron Ekblad (Florida Panthers), Jake Muzzin (Kings) and David Savard (Columbus Blue Jackets). Among the 12 forwards picked are Claude Giroux (Philadelphia Flyers), Taylor Hall (Edmonton Oilers), Tyler Seguin (Dallas Stars) and Jason Spezza (Stars).
Seventeen of the 19 players picked have previous international experience and nine have competed in the World Championship. Muzzin and Savard will represent Canada for the first time.
"We could not be more pleased with this first group of players who have committed to representing their country," Canada general manager Jim Nill (Stars) said in a statement. "This group includes a fantastic mix of youth and experience, and these 19 players are ready to get over to Europe and wear the red and white of Team Canada."
Canada begins tournament play May 1 against Latvia and also will face Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland in preliminary-round action. The gold-medal game is scheduled for May 17 at O2 Arena in Prague.
HOCKEY CANADA PRELIMINARY ROSTER
GOALTENDERS: Martin Jones, Los Angeles Kings; Mike Smith, Arizona Coyotes
DEFENSEMEN: Tyson Barrie, Colorado Avalanche; Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks; Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers; Jake Muzzin, Los Angeles Kings; David Savard, Columbus Blue Jackets
FORWARDS: Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche; Cody Eakin, Dallas Stars; Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers; Tyler Ennis, Buffalo Sabres; Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers; Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers; Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers; Ryan O'Reilly, Colorado Avalanche; Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars; Jason Spezza, Dallas Stars; Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings
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