Giroux, Duchene highlight Canada's initial World Championship roster
Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports
Team Canada revealed its initial roster for the 2017 World Championship on Wednesday, designating 18 players to the tournament, which will be played in France and Germany.
Canada's brain trust includes Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall and Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, who will assume the same role overseas, and will have plenty familiar faces to work with.
The players listed on the team so far are as follows:
Forwards
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Sean Couturier | Flyers |
| Matt Duchene | Avalanche |
| Claude Giroux | Flyers |
| Alex Killorn | Lightning |
| Travis Konecny | Flyers |
| Ryan O'Reilly | Sabres |
| Nathan MacKinnon | Avalanche |
| Brayden Point | Lightning |
| Mark Scheifele | Jets |
| Wayne Simmonds | Flyers |
| Jeff Skinner | Hurricanes |
Defense
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Tyson Barrie | Avalanche |
| Calvin De Haan | Islanders |
| Jason Demers | Panthers |
| Michael Matheson | Panthers |
| Josh Morrissey | Jets |
Goalies
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Eric Comrie | Jets |
| Calvin Pickard | Avalanche |
Of course, more players can and will fill out the remainder of the roster, which includes the option of adding members eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Canada has won back-to-back gold medals at the tournament, and will aim for a three-peat beginning May 5 versus Czech Republic.