MacKinnon, Schenn added to Team Canada roster for Worlds

Following their respective teams’ exit from the playoffs, Avs forward Nathan MacKinnon and Flyers forward Brayden Schenn will don the red and white and represent Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship. Matt Read, also a forward with the Philadelphia Flyers, will join the team. The tournament will be held May 9-25, 2014 in Minsk, Belarus.

The announcement was made today by Rob Blake, general manager of Canada’s national men’s team. Blake made the roster decision in collaboration with a management group comprising Brad Treliving (GM, Calgary Flames), Ron Hextall (rumoured soon-to-be-GM, Philadelphia Flyers) and Hockey Canada’s vice president of hockey operations Brad Pascall.

Further to the roster additions, it was announced today that Edmonton Oilers forward David Perron is suffering from an injury, thought to be hip-related, and will not compete at Worlds.

Team Canada’s roster now stands at 23, comprising three goaltenders, seven d-men and 13 forwards. The tournament will see five players taking to the international stage for the first time – Kevin Bieksa (Vancouver Canucks), Troy Brouwer (Washington Capitals), Jason Garrison (Vancouver Canucks), Ben Scrivens (Edmonton Oilers) and Joel Ward (Washington Capitals).

According to IIHF rules, Team Canada can register a maximum of 25 players for Worlds, leaving two roster spots open. Players can be registered during the tournament, with Team Canada’s management team surely keeping a close eye on contenders currently in the playoffs who may become available to represent Canada after the second round concludes.

The tournament opens for Canada on May 9 as the team takes on France in the preliminary round.