VANCOUVER -- Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly was already excited about playing for Team North America in the World Cup of Hockey 2016, but his expectations increased even more after having dinner with Auston Matthews in Toronto a few weeks ago.
"We talked for a long time and when we started talking about the World Cup and I said, 'I think we're in tough, we've got a tough pool, we're a young team,' and he says, 'Really? Because I was thinking we could actually win it,'" Rielly said after skating in his hometown of North Vancouver this week. "We're the underdogs, but we're pretty motivated."
Morgan Rielly starts World Cup preparation early
Maple Leafs defenseman fits right in with talented young group for Team North America
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