Mark Messier, Team Canada general manager for the 2010 IIHF World Championship, has announced a first group of 15 players that will represent Canada at the world championship, which runs May 7-23 in Cologne and Mannheim, Germany.
In addition, Messier announced that forward Jordan Eberle (Regina, Sask./Regina, WHL) has been invited to attend the team’s pre-competition camp from May 2-6 in Hamburg, Germany. Eberle played for Canada at the two past IIHF World Junior Championships, and just completed his season with Springfield, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers.
I had a chance to chat with Eberle this afternoon and he was his usual humble self. He had his usual wry smile and seemed almost a bit 'star-struck' to be going.
Messier and the management staff, comprised of Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s director of men’s national teams, Doug Risebrough, Michel Goulet and Doug Messier, has been scouting NHL teams and monitoring the playoff situation. Messier is expected to fill out the roster once the first round of the NHL playoffs comes to an end.
Canada’s preliminary roster includes one goaltender, five defencemen and nine forwards. The roster is highlighted by a member of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games (Perry), and 12 players with international experience. Eight of these 12 players with international experience have won gold medals with Canada at previous international competitions. Only Francois Beauchemin, Rene Bourque and Rich Peverley will be representing Canada in international competition for the first time. Seven players (Downie, Kane, Ott, Perry, Russell, Staal, Tavares) have represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship, but will be taking part in their first IIHF World Championship.
P NAME HOMETOWN CLUB TEAM
G Chris Mason Red Deer, Alta. St. Louis Blues (NHL)
D Francois Beauchemin Sorel, Que. Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
D Brent Burns Barrie, Ont. Minnesota Wild (NHL)
D Mark Giordano Toronto, Ont. Calgary Flames (NHL)
D Kris Russell Caroline, Alta. Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
D Marc Staal Thunder Bay, Ont. New York Rangers (NHL)
F Rene Bourque Lac La Biche, Alta. Calgary Flames (NHL)
F Steve Downie Queensville, Ont. Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
F Evander Kane Vancouver, B.C. Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
F Steve Ott Stoney Point, Ont. Dallas Stars (NHL)
F Corey Perry Peterborough, Ont. Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
F Rich Peverley Guelph, Ont. Atlanta Thrashers (NHL)
F Steven Stamkos Unionville, Ont. Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
F John Tavares Oakville, Ont. New York Islanders (NHL)
F Ray Whitney Ft. Saskatchewan, Alta. Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
Canada’s coaching staff is comprised of head coach Craig MacTavish (London, Ont.), associate coach Peter DeBoer (Dunnville, Ont./Florida Panthers, NHL) and assistant coach Billy Moores (Edmonton, Alta./Edmonton Oilers, NHL).
The team will convene in Hamburg, Germany on May 2 for a four-day pre-competition camp that will include one exhibition game, on May 4 against Germany. Canada’s first game at the 2010 IIHF World Championship is on May 8 vs. Norway in Mannheim. An official roster does not have to be submitted to the IIHF by Hockey Canada until May 7, and players can be added after the preliminary round up to a maximum of 25 players.
For more information on the 2010 IIHF World Championship and Canada’s National Men’s Team, visit www.hockeycanada.ca.
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