Without Crosby, but beckons the support of Los Angeles. Canada revealed the selection for the WC

Without Crosby, but beckons the support of Los Angeles. Canada revealed the selection for the WC | Hokej.cz

Photo: Markéta Křížová

The defending champion from Canada officially announced the first 22 names for the World Championships in the Czech Republic on Friday evening. For now, coach André Tourigny is counting on three goalkeepers, seven defenders and twelve forwards.

General manager Rick Nash and his assistants Kyle Dubas and Scott Salmond are keeping the door open to calling up three more hockey players. Who is he looking at?

Seasoned quarterback Drew Doughty, who has been absorbing elimination from the playoffs with Edmonton since Wednesday night, was recently in the sights of the national team. But suddenly there was an opportunity to extend the season in the Czech Republic by a little bit.

The two-time owner of the Stanley Cup confirmed the interest during interviews with journalists. At the same time, he admitted that he had to reconsider his participation with regard to his three children. However, he can be motivated by a potential entry into the Triple Gold Club, he is missing only the gold from the World Championship in his complete collection.

Despite numerous speculations, Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby will not arrive in Prague after nine years. Even without him, the cradle of hockey, like every year, will be among the aspirants for the most valuable metal. In the heart of Europe, they are betting on a young team – fourteen players were born after 2000.

The spotlight is focused especially on 18-year-old megastar Connor Bedard – last year’s number one draft pick and the main face of the Chicago Blackhawks organization. He will now amaze not only Czech fans with his pieces.

Michael Bunting, Dylan Cozens, Adam Fantilli, Joel Hofer, Andrew Mangiapane, Jack McBain, Jared McCann, Dawson Mercer, Colton Parayko, Owen Power and Damon Severson have already competed in the World Championship.

Jordan Binnington from St. Louis, his club mate Joel Hofer and another young goalkeeper Nico Daws will form the goalkeeper trio with him. The greaser sticker goes to 32-year-old forward Brandon Tanev.

“We know that our players will represent Canada proudly and we are confident that this team will give us a great chance to defend the gold medal,” reports Nash, who will announce the final three additions in the coming weeks.

The Maple Leafs kick off the tournament next Saturday with a clash against Great Britain, before that they have warm-up games against Austria and Hungary. They will compete against the Czech national team on May 21.

Canada’s nomination for the WC in Prague and Ostrava

Goalkeepers:
Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues), Nico Daws (New Jersey Devils), Joel Hofer (St. Louis Blues).

Defenders:
Bowen Byram, Owen Power (both Buffalo Sabres), Kaiden Guhle (Montreal Canadiens), Jamie Oleksiak (Seattle Kraken), Colton Parayko (St. Louis Blues), Damon Severson (Columbus Blue Jackets), Olen Zellweger (Anaheim Ducks).

Attackers:
Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks), Michael Bunting (Pittsburgh Penguins), Macklin Celebrini (Boston University, NCAA), Dylan Cozens (Buffalo Sabres), Adam Fantilli (Columbus Blue Jackets), Ridley Greig (Ottawa Senators), Dylan Guenther, Jack McBain (both Arizona Coyotes), Andrew Mangiapane (Calgary Flames), Jared McCann, Brandon Tanev (both Seattle Kraken), Dawson Mercer (New Jersey Devils).