CALGARY, Alta. – Mark Messier, Team Canada general manager for the 2010 IIHF World Championship, has announced a first group of 15 players that will represent Canada at the world championship, which runs May 7-23 in Cologne and Mannheim, Germany.  

“Our philosophy going into the World Championship this year was to build a young talented team that is excited to have a chance to represent their country,” said Messier. “We are very proud of the enthusiasm and excitement that the players have shown when informed of their selection.  The World Championship is a tremendous opportunity for these young players to gain experience at the international level.”

Messier and the management staff, comprised of Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s director of men’s national teams, Doug Risebrough, Michel Goulet and Doug Messier, has been scouting NHL teams and monitoring the playoff situation. Messier is expected to fill out the roster once the first round of the NHL playoffs comes to an end.

Canada’s preliminary roster includes one goaltender, five defencemen and nine forwards.  The roster is highlighted by a member of Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games (Perry), and 12 players with international experience. Eight of these 12 players with international experience have won gold medals with Canada at previous international competitions. Only Francois Beauchemin, Rene Bourque and Rich Peverley will be representing Canada in international competition for the first time. Seven players (Downie, Kane, Ott, Perry, Russell, Staal, Tavares) have represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship, but will be taking part in their first IIHF World Championship.

In addition, Messier announced that forward Jordan Eberle (Regina, Sask./Regina, WHL) has been invited to attend the team’s pre-competition camp from May 2-6 in Hamburg, Germany. Eberle played for Canada at the two past IIHF World Junior Championships, and just completed his season with Springfield, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers.

Canada can register up to 25 players on its final roster at the world championship, but only 22 players, including two goaltenders, can be dressed for each game.

Canada’s coaching staff is comprised of head coach Craig MacTavish (London, Ont.), associate coach Peter DeBoer (Dunnville, Ont./Florida Panthers, NHL) and assistant coach Billy Moores (Edmonton, Alta./Edmonton Oilers, NHL)

The team will convene in Hamburg, Germany on May 2 for a four-day pre-competition camp that will include one exhibition game, on May 4 against Germany. Canada’s first game at the 2010 IIHF World Championship is on May 8 vs. Italy in Mannheim. An official roster does not have to be submitted to the IIHF by Hockey Canada until May 7, and players can be added after the preliminary round up to a maximum of 25 players.