Team North America has announced their preliminary, 16-man roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto.
World Cup Announcements: Team North America Roster Showcases the Future
Team North America was the sixth team to release their roster on Wednesday.
The roster is headlined by 2015 first round picks Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, who will play alongside each other for the first time, after competing against one another at the 2015 World Junior Championship.
The team’s forward core is stacked, with Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, and Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon. The blueline will be led by Florida Panther Aaron Ekblad, Maple Leaf Morgan Rielly and Blue Jacket Seth Jones. Only four defencemen were named to the team, so that is the most likely area to be shored up with later additions.
The goaltending situation is cause for concern, with Connor Hellebuyck, John Gibson and Matt Murray all quite unproven in the NHL. The team was handcuffed though, given the longer time it takes for goalies to develop.
Missing from the team is Montreal’s Alex Galchenyuk, who is a prime candidate for a late addition to the squad, as is Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Canada and the United States are both represented equally on this preliminary roster:
John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks, G
Connor Hellebuyck, Manitoba (AHL), G
Matthew Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins, G
Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers, D
Seth Jones, Columbus Blue Jackets, D
Ryan Murray, Columbus Blue Jackets, D
Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs, D
Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers, F
Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres, F
Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames, F
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings, F
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, F
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, F
J.T. Miller, New York Rangers, F
Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames, F
Brandon Saad, Columbus Blue Jackets, F
All eight teams competing in the World Cup of Hockey 2016 are announcing their rosters of at least 16 players throughout the day. Below is schedule of the roster announcements:
Team Finland: 4 a.m.
Team Czech Republic: 11 a.m.
Team Sweden: 1:15 p.m.
Team Europe: 4:30 p.m.
Team North America: 5:15 p.m.
Team Canada: 6:05 p.m.
Team USA: 6:45 p.m.
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