Canada adds Purcell, Spaling to pre-Olympic squad
Team Canada has added former NHLers Teddy Purcell and Nick Spaling to the pre-Olympic squad that will compete for the Karjala Cup.
Purcell last appeared in the NHL in 2016-17 with the Los Angeles Kings. The 32-year-old is currently suiting up for Omsk Avangard of the KHL, where he has tallied three points in four games.
Spaling is two years removed from the NHL, as he last skated with the San Jose Sharks in 2015-16. The 29-year-old has spent the past two seasons with Geneve Servette of the Swiss League.
Team Canada also announced Monday that forwards Matt Frattin, Derek Roy, and Dylan Sikura are no longer on the roster. The team first announced its full lineup in October.
The Karjala Cup takes place Nov. 8-12 in Helsinki. Canada will compete with Russia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, and host nation Finland in a precursor to the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
On Monday, Team Canada also named former NHL defenseman Adam Foote a player development consultant. Foote won Olympic gold with Canada in 2002.