2015 NHL Draft
SHARE
Share with your Friends


Breaking down the 23 players named to Canada's roster for World Cup

Friday, 05.27.2016 / 6:45 PM / News

The Canadian Press

Share with your Friends


Breaking down the 23 players named to Canada's roster for World Cup

A look at the 23 players named to Canada's World Cup roster:

Forwards

Sidney Crosby: Canada's captain for the Olympic gold-medal winning squad, Crosby was a lock for the World Cup team. Struggling through an uncharacteristic slow start this season, the Penguins captain has returned to his usual high-scoring production level and has a shot to win his second Stanley Cup next month.

Jonathan Toews: Toews seems to do just about everything, be it for the last two Canadian Olympic teams or the Chicago Blackhawks. Toews can score a key goal, lock down as a defensive stopper or win a key faceoff. He'll line up behind Crosby in the second centre slot for Canada.

Jamie Benn: Benn scored the only goal in Canada's riveting semifinal win over the United States in Sochi and he's become even better since. Benn won the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer last season, trailing only Patrick Kane in that race this season. A powerful winger, Benn could be a fixture next to his Stars teammate Tyler Seguin.

Tyler Seguin: Just coming into his own for the Stars when the 2014 Olympic team was named, Seguin missed the mark in landing a spot on that squad. He wasn't left out this time. Seguin and Benn have been the league's most electric duo in Dallas for the past two-plus seasons.

John Tavares: Tavares suffered a devastating knee injury in the quarter-finals in Sochi, missing the last two games. Still only 25, the Islanders captain is a powerful force down the middle and someone who could play the wing, perhaps alongside Crosby.

Steven Stamkos: Stamkos wasn't healthy enough to play for Canada at the last Olympics, but he'll get another chance to represent his country this fall. Like Tavares, Stamkos will provide a goal-scoring presence, both at even strength and on the power play.

Ryan Getzlaf: Among the slowest starters in the league last fall, Getzlaf eventually found his way back to dominance for the Ducks, finishing with 32 points over the final 34 games of the regular season. At six foot four and more than 220 pounds, Getzlaf brings size and skill to the centre-ice position for Canada.

Jeff Carter: Like many of his teammates, Carter has a rich history performing for winning teams, the squad in Sochi among them. Carter scored three goals and had five points in six games at the Olympics. He's also been a dominant post-season performer for the Kings with an impressive combination of size, skill and power.

Patrice Bergeron: Similar to Toews, Bergeron can be a jack-of-all-trades for Canada. The longtime Bruins forward can score, kill penalties, win a key draw and play the wing if needed. Bergeron is coming off his best offensive season in nearly a decade, too.

Matt Duchene: Duchene's final audition for the World Cup roster was evidently enough to secure him one of the final slots. He had another fine showing representing Canada for the second straight spring, and was second on the team with 10 points in 10 games at the worlds. The 25-year-old became a 30-goal scorer for the first time during the NHL regular season. He plays with lots of speed and can line up at wing or centre for Babcock, as he did at the 2014 Olympics.

Claude Giroux: The Flyers captain is a whiz with the puck and brings those creative skills to Canada's attack at the World Cup. Giroux is fourth in assists among NHL forwards over the past four seasons and one of the league's top power-play producers. He gets a chance with the Canadians after being passed over for the 2014 Olympic squad.

Brad Marchand: Known for his agitating style, Marchand rose into one of the NHL's top goal-scorers this past season, setting a career high with 37 goals for Boston. Also a quick skater, forceful hitter, and dangerous penalty-killer, Marchand should be able to provide a little bit of everything for Canada.

Joe Thornton: Thornton continues to defy his age (36) as he was tied for fourth among players with 82 points during the regular season. It was his best campaign since 2009-'10, his 63 assists tops among all NHL forwards. Thornton has continued to excel during the Sharks' run to the Stanley Cup final, offering Team Canada an experienced pivot who can win a faceoff, steer a power play or set up a goal.

Defence

Drew Doughty: A revelation at his first Olympics in Vancouver, Doughty was again a dominating force for Canada in Sochi. Doughty scored four goals, logged big minutes and seemed to transcend even the best the game had to offer at the 2014 Games. The same will be expected of the Kings star at the World Cup.

Duncan Keith: Along with Shea Weber, Keith was half of coach Mike Babcock's most trusted defence duo in Sochi. He brings a wealth of winning experience to the squad with three Stanley Cups and two Olympic gold medals. He was an especially effective force last spring, a unanimous choice for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the top playoff performer.

Shea Weber: No Canadian logged more minutes in Sochi and though his game is probably trending downward, the 30-year-old remains a heavy defensive force and someone Babcock will lean on. He and Keith should again form Canada's top pair.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic: Vlasic plays big, effective and probably underrated minutes for the Western Conference champions. He also played next to Doughty in Sochi, providing a smart, safe, puck-moving presence next to Canada's most dynamic defender.

Alex Pietrangelo: The fourth overall pick of the 2008 draft, Pietrangelo has grown into a workhorse for the St. Louis Blues. Much like he did in Sochi, Pietrangelo should slot onto the right side of a third pair, killing penalties and absorbing a heavy dose of defensive zone starts for Babcock. It's won't be the prettiest role, but one the King City, Ont., native is more than capable of playing.

Brent Burns: Perhaps no player has done more to raise his stock for Canada since the 2014 Olympics than Burns. He's scored more goals than any other defenceman over the past two seasons (44, tied with Oliver Ekman-Larsson) and has more points than all but the prolific Erik Karlsson on the back end. He also has 20 points this post-season for the Western Conference champion Sharks. Despite his imposing size (six foot five), Burns gets around the ice like someone much smaller. He can also play forward if necessary.

Jake Muzzin: Long in the shadow of Doughty, Muzzin gets a chance to step into the spotlight with only his second appearance for Canada internationally (2015 worlds). A left shot who could line up alongside either Pietrangelo or Burns on Babcock's third defensive pair, Muzzin is a reliable defender, effective penalty killer and someone who regularly logs huge minutes for a Kings team that's won two of the last four Stanley Cups.

Goal

Carey Price: Assuming he's fully healthy, Price should be Canada's guy in goal. His credentials need little elaboration. Price has been the NHL's best goalie (when healthy) in recent years. He gave up only three goals in six games in Sochi.

Braden Holtby: Holtby tied Martin Brodeur's NHL record with 48 wins during the regular season and was a rock for most of the year with Washington. He could challenge for Canada's starting role if Price isn't ready to go.

Corey Crawford: A winner of two Stanley Cups for the Blackhawks, Crawford joins Holtby in what promises to be a competitive Vezina Trophy race for the league's top goaltender honour this season. Crawford had perhaps the best year of his NHL career and is set to represent Canada for the first time.

NHL.TV™

NHL GameCenter LIVE™ is now NHL.TV™.
Watch out-of-market games and replays with an all new redesigned media player, mobile and connected device apps.

LEARN MORE

NHL Mobile App

Introducing the new official NHL App, available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones and tablets. A host of new features and improved functionality are available across all platforms, including a redesigned league-wide scoreboard, expanded news coverage, searchable video highlights, individual team experiences* and more. The new NHL App on your tablet also introduces new offerings such as 60fps video, Multitasking** and Picture-in-Picture.

*Available only for smartphones
** Available only for suported iPads