P.K. Subban would 'gladly' play for Canada at World Championship

Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban isn't rattled about being snubbed from Team Canada's preliminary roster for the World Cup of Hockey. In fact, he isn't even overly surprised.

"The competition is so strong," Subban said Thursday. "You can't take anything away from the guys they've already named."

Subban - who played one game for Canada's gold medal-winning squad at the Sochi Olympics - will compete with the likes of Alex Pietrangelo, Brent Burns, Kris Letang, Brent Seabrook, and Mark Giordano for the final three spots on Canada's blue line. He's eager to prove to general manager Doug Armstrong that he belongs on the team.

"When I spoke with (Armstrong), he said I'll have a chance if I just keep playing my game," Subban said. "They want responsible players, players who they can trust, players who play in all situations, players who can play against the best and log big minutes."

The 26-year-old, who leads the Canadiens with 50 points in 65 games, may even take the World Championship in Russia as an opportunity to demonstrate what he can do on an international level.

"I'm always proud to play for my country," said Subban. "If I'm healthy, and if we're not playing in the playoffs, I'd gladly take the opportunity."

The Canadiens will wrap up their season on April 9, but all indications are that Subban will be wearing Canada's jersey - one way or another - very soon.