Skip to content

Subban not surprised to be left off Canada's World Cup roster

Francois Lacasse / National Hockey League / Getty

Not much can phase P.K. Subban.

The charismatic Montreal Canadiens defenseman was left off Team Canada's World Cup roster for September, but Subban, often a lightning rod for media speculation, is taking the decision gracefully.

The 27-year-old won gold for Canada at the Sochi Olympics, but his omission from September's tournament didn't come as a surprise.

"No, I'm not surprised," Subban told Sportsnet on Saturday. "It's a selection process. So, either you get selected or you don't. All you can do is be a model citizen. I'm Canadian so I support my country and I support my team just like everybody else."

Subban registered 51 points in 68 games throughout a rocky season in Montreal, but Canada added Brent Burns, Jake Muzzin, and Alex Pietrangelo to its final roster Friday.

Although he won't be apart of it, he'll be content with seeing his countrymen take home gold.

"I mean everybody wants to make the team, right?" Subban said." And there's a bunch of guys that I'm sure wanted to be on the team. But that's the way it goes. ... When I was speaking to (general manager) Doug Armstrong, my No. 1 thing was I just want to see Canada win gold. So I'll be there cheering just like everybody else."

The tournament gets underway Sept. 17 in Toronto.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox