Corey Perry seemed like an obvious choice among Anaheim Ducks when the Canadian brain-trust released its initial roster for this summer's World Cup of Hockey.
He boasted team highs with 26 goals and 41 primary points at the time, and, unlike Ryan Getzlaf, wasn't competing with Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Patrice Bergeron for one of the center-ice positions on the roster.
But when it was the Ducks' captain named to the team, not Perry, and after the club was eliminated in the first round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the talented scoring winger is now in Russia, continuing his World Cup campaign at the World Championship.
"Oh definitely it's in the back of your mind," Perry told TSN's Ryan Rishaug when asked about the World Cup factoring in his decision to come overseas. "You want to prove yourself any chance that you get. That's another stepping stone and everybody in that dressing room is probably doing the same thing.
"You gotta go out, do the right things, and prove yourself all over again."
He added: "When your country calls, you don't turn down these opportunities too often. You want to play for your country."
Taylor Hall, Matt Duchene, Brad Marchand, Ryan O'Reilly, and Brendan Gallagher are also in Russia, and thought to be in consideration. It's a scenario that's ostensibly contributed to Canada bringing over an immensely talented roster.
