Sam Montembeault and Justin Barron named to Team Canada

MONTREAL - Justin Barron and Sam Montembeault will represent Team Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship from May 12 to 28 in Tampere, Finland and Riga, Latvia.

Hockey Canada's 20-man roster was announced on Friday.

This will mark Barron and Montembeault's first time representing Canada at the World Championship.

Barron, 21, previously donned the Maple Leaf in 2017 at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and in 2020 at the IIHF World Junior Championship.

The Halifax, NS native totaled 15 points (4 G, 11 A) in 39 games with the Canadiens this season.

Prior to being recalled on December 27, the defenseman registered seven goals and nine assists in 25 games with the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League.

Montembeault, 26, was selected to Team Canada's 2016 World Juniors roster, but did not play throughout the tournament.

"It's the first time I'll have the chance to play for Team Canada. I was at the World Junior Championship [in 2016], but I was the third-string goalie, so I didn't get the chance to play," recalled Montembeault during his end of season media availability on April 14.

"It's going to be fun and to be able to play hockey through the month of May will be a great experience."

The Becancour, QC native played a career-high 40 games with the Habs this season, posting a 16-19-3 record, to go along with a 3.42 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.

Montembeault was awarded the Molson Cup for the month of January, when from January 9 to 21, he maintained a save percentage of .925 or higher in six of the seven games, including 38 and 39-save performances in a back-to-back on January 14 and 15 in New York.

Barron and Montembeault are the fourth and fifth players in the Canadiens' organization to be name to their country's roster, joining

Sean Farrell, Lane Hutson and Luke Tuch who will suit up for Team USA

.

Team Canada opens their tournament on May 12 against Latvia at 1:20 p.m. ET, while the Americans take on Finland at 9:20 a.m.

Catch all of Team Canada's games on TSN and RDS.