It wasn’t looking good for Canada’s National Men’s Team. Twenty minutes into its preliminary game against Sweden at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, the Canadians were being outshot 14-5 and found themselves facing a 3-0 deficit.

Needing a jolt – not to mention a goal – Canada got both from 19-year-old Aaron Ekblad. Early in the second period, the team’s youngest player – who two games earlier became the youngest defenceman to ever score for Canada – fired home a loose puck through traffic to get his country on the board. Over the final 40 minutes Canada outshot its Scandinavian rival 34-18 and outscored it 6-1. Tyler Ennis, who had the game-winner, was the oldest of the six goal-scorers.

He’s 25.

“I’m not sure when we started [putting the team together] that we were thinking about age,” says Scott Salmond, Hockey Canada’s vice-president of hockey operations and national teams. “We were just thinking about taking the best players and fortunately when you look forward in our program we got a lot of good young players.”

Head coach Todd McLellan agrees that age was never a consideration.

“We just knew that these players were very capable of playing at a high level,” he says. “Most of the players were leaders and offensive leaders on their teams, and we had to put the group together so that the whole was more important than the parts.”

Veteran presence was added in the form of Jason Spezza, Brent Burns, Dan Hamhuis and Mike Smith.

“They had a big role in settling the team down when it needed it,” says McLellan. They also served as key decision-makers for the team, he adds, having a voice on things like workload and days off. “We wanted to have them participate in the direction of the team.”

While the core of the team ended up being chronologically young – 16 of the 23 players were 25 or younger – it was far from inexperienced. Cumulatively the core had won medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship (10), Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament (11 – all gold), World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (seven), IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship (four) and Olympic Winter Games (one), not to mention a Spengler Cup (Matt Duchene and Tyler Seguin).

That Program of Excellence experience played a key role in preparing them for the big stage in Prague. It also may have provided a little extra motivation.

“Interestingly enough there’s a lot of guys who’ve been through the program who didn’t win,” says Salmond. Many players had international experience and knew the expectations that came with wearing the maple leaf, but recent gold medal droughts at the World Juniors and world championship had left them wanting more.

“From the day we got that team together there was a feeling from the players that they wanted to get it done,” says Salmond. “I thought as much as anything that was motivation for our players, guys who’d been disappointed before at the World Juniors, guys who’d been to the world championship and lost and being we’re not going to let that happen this time.”

The IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship is a major event in Europe, with nearly 160 individual broadcasters and more than one billion viewers. “It’s a huge stage. The players understand what that’s all about and they want to win,” says Salmond. “At the end of the day they’ve got the experience through the NHL or our programs to do that.”

The younger players also had veteran leaders to rely on. “What they were able to capture from those veterans is that experience of being in the tournament,” says McLellan. “How it’s supposed to feel now, what happens next, when does it get tough, when does it get easy.”

A big part of the experience of the world championship is helping players become better, says Salmond, and that comes from being around those who’ve been there before, those who’ve had success there (Burns, Hamhuis and Spezza have six medals between them) and those who’ve had long NHL careers.

“The reason the [younger] guys are good players is because they’re smart,” says Salmond, “and smart players will gain as much knowledge and experience as they can from the players around them.” Many of them, even though they’re only 23 or 24 years old, are leaders on their NHL teams; however, says Salmond, “this time, I think they kind of turned themselves over to our older leadership group and looked for direction from them.”

Spezza and Burns were named Top Forward and Top Defenceman, respectively, by the IIHF Directorate, but their younger teammates also made their mark in Prague.

Taylor Hall joined Spezza and Burns on the media all-star team. Ryan O’Reilly and Duchene were among the tournament leaders in the face-off circle, each winning two-thirds of their draws. Sean Couturier finished plus-13 and was never on the ice for an even strength goal against. Seguin and Hall ended up first and third in goals scored. Ennis showed off skill and speed on a wraparound that proved to be the gold-medal-winning goal versus Russia. And Jordan Eberle, Hall and Duchene were second, third and fifth among the tournament scoring leaders.

“We’ve gone through the Gretzky-Lemieux era and the Sakic-Blake-Iginla era,” says McLellan. “When I look at this group I think this is the next generation of Canadian teams.”

This year’s Team Canada finished 10-0 at the world championship, winning every game in regulation. It was the third gold medal won by a men’s team on the international stage this season. Between worlds, the World Juniors, U18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship, Canada went 28-1.

The future of Canadian hockey is bright thanks to its young stars.

“Not that long ago people were questioning Canadian hockey and were we developing talented players and were we skilled enough,” says Salmond. “I think we’ve answered those questions this year.”

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – Hockey Canada and eBay.ca will launch the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship auction on Saturday, May 9 at 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT. Up for auction are game-worn jerseys from Canada’s National Men’s Team.

The jerseys up for grabs are Team Canada’s 100th anniversary jerseys worn exclusively at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Prague and Ostrava. The colour of the jersey will be determined following Canada’s final game at the world championship.

Canada’s National Men’s Team 23-player roster includes three who helped Canada win gold at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games (Crosby, Duchene, Hamhuis, Smith), 11 who have previously played at a world championship (Burns, Crosby, Duchene, Eberle, Giroux, Hall, MacKinnon, O’Reilly, Schenn, Smith, Spezza) and 14 who represented Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship (Barrie, Burns, Couturier, Crosby, Eakin, Eberle, Ekblad, Ennis, Giroux, Hall, Jones, MacKinnon, Schenn, Spezza).

All proceeds from the sale of game-worn jerseys will go to the Hockey Canada Foundation, whose mission is to promote and foster accessibility to the game of hockey. Proceeds of this auction will support Hockey Canada Foundation initiatives that help ensure Canada remains at the forefront in the development and promotion of amateur hockey as well as creating access to the game.

The auction will last 10 days, closing May 18, 2015. Shipping will commence for paid items the week of June 15, 2015.

For more information on Canada’s National Men’s Team and Hockey Canada, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca, or follow along through social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada and www.twitter.com/hc_men. 

CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada and eBay.ca will launch the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship eBay auction Friday, May 16 at 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT. The jerseys up for auction are worn exclusively by Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk, Belarus. Fans have the chance to own a Team Canada jersey worn by James Reimer, Morgan Rielly and Alex Burrows, among others.

Canada’s 23-player roster includes three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards, featuring six players with world championship experience and 17 players with previous international experience. The roster also includes a number of standout NHL rookies from this past season. That includes Nathan MacKinnon, Sean Monahan, Morgan Rielly and Mark Scheifele, as well as Jonathan Huberdeau, the Calder Memorial Trophy winner as the NHL’s top rookie in 2012-13. Six players, including captain Kevin Bieksa, Troy Brouwer, Jason Garrison, Justin Peters, Ben Scrivens and Joel Ward, are making their international debut at the world championship. 

All proceeds from the sale of game-worn items will go to the Hockey Canada Foundation (HCF). The foundation’s mission is to support Hockey Canada by promoting and fostering accessibility to the game.. Proceeds of this auction will support HCF initiatives that help ensure Canada remains at the forefront in the development of amateur hockey across the country.

The auction will last 10 days, closing Monday, May 26, 2014. Shipment will commence for paid items the week of June 9, 2014.

The 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship runs May 9-25 in Minsk, Belarus. All of Canada’s games will be broadcast on TSN/RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcasters. Check local listings for game times in your area.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit www.hockeycanada.ca, or follow along via social media at www.facebook.com/hockeycanada, www.twitter.com/hockeycanada  and www.twitter.com/hc_men .

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that two veteran National Hockey League (NHL) general managers will lead Canada at the inaugural NHL 4 Nations Face-Off next February.

Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL) will make his international management debut as general manager, working alongside associate general manager Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL), who will return to Canada’s management group for the first time since 2015.

In addition, Sweeney and Nill have been named assistant general managers of Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. They will work alongside Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), who was named general manager in March.

The management group was selected by Armstrong, who serves as management group lead for Canada’s National Men’s Team, player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK/Anaheim, NHL) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer, and Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB), chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy, also provided input as part of the executive committee preparing for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

“As we continue to prepare for international competition over the next two years, I am thrilled to have Don and Jim lead Team Canada at the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, and to welcome these two experienced general managers to our management group for the 2026 Olympics,” Armstrong said. “Both Don and Jim have enjoyed successful NHL careers and will represent the Maple Leaf with pride, and we know their experience will be a valuable asset as we build teams for two major international events in 2025 and 2026.”

Sweeney is in his ninth season (2015-24) as general manager of the Boston Bruins, winning the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award in 2018-19 and leading the team to eight-consecutive playoff appearances and two Presidents’ Trophies (2020, 2023). He also served six seasons (2009-15) as assistant general manager, three seasons as director of player development (2006-09) and two seasons (2007-09) as director of hockey operations with the Bruins. As an executive, Sweeney has helped lead the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final three times (2011, 2013, 2019), winning the Stanley Cup in 2011. He also served one season (2014-15) as general manager of the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League (AHL), and was announced as an assistant general manager of Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team for the 2022 Olympics if NHL players participated. As a player, he played in 1,115 NHL games over 16 seasons with the Bruins and Dallas Stars, appearing in the Stanley Cup Final with the Bruins in 1990, and won a gold medal with Canada at the 1997 IIHF World Championship.

Nill has served as the general manager of the Dallas Stars for the past 11 seasons (2013-24), winning GM of the Year in 2022-23 and leading the team to seven playoff appearances and the Stanley Cup Final in 2020. He also spent 19 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, serving as assistant general manager (1998-2013) and director of player development (1994-98), helping lead Detroit to the Stanley Cup Final six times (1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008, 2009), winning the Stanley Cup four times (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008). Nill was also the GM of the AHL’s Adirondack Red Wings for one season (1988-89), leading the team to a Calder Cup championship, and a professional scout with the Ottawa Senators for three seasons (1991-94). Internationally, he has served as director of player personnel (2003) and general manager (2004, 2015) of Canada’s National Men’s Team at the IIHF World Championship, winning gold in 2004 and 2015. As a player, Nill played 524 career NHL games, played in the Stanley Cup Final with the Vancouver Canucks in 1982, suited up for Canada’s National Men’s Team during the 1979-80 season and wore the Maple Leaf at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games.

The coaching staff and first six players for the 2025 NHL Four Nations Face-Off are expected to be announced in June, while additional announcements regarding Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team will be made at a later date.

The 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off is a new international event that will feature NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States. The event will take place in two North American cities – one in Canada and one in the United States – in February 2025 and will consist of seven games played with NHL rules.

For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Men’s Team and Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that two-time Olympic gold medallist Rick Nash (Brampton, ON/Columbus, NHL) will serve as general manager of Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, May 10-26 in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia.

Nash was selected by Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), management group lead for Canada’s National Men’s Team, Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK/Anaheim, NHL), player relations advisor and Scott Salmond (Creston, B.C.), senior vice-president of hockey operations and high performance.

“Rick is an outstanding person to lead Canada’s National Men’s Team at this year’s world championship, as he brings a wealth of international and NHL experience from his playing career and his time as an executive,” Armstrong said. “We are excited to work with Rick and begin building the staff and roster that will wear the Maple Leaf in Czechia and help us defend gold this May.”

Nash most recently won a silver medal as assistant general manager of Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2022 IIHF World Championship. He is in his third season as director of player development with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and previously spent two seasons (2019-21) as the team’s special assistant to the general manager. As a player, he represented Canada at the Olympic Winter Games in 2006, 2010 and 2014, winning gold in 2010 and 2014. He also wore the Maple Leaf at four IIHF World Championships, winning one gold medal (2007) and two silver (2005, 2008), and won a silver medal at the 2002 IIHF World Junior Championship. Professionally, he played in 1,060 NHL games over 15 seasons with the Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins, amassing 805 career points (437 goals, 368 assists).

Additions to the management group, as well as the coaching staff, support staff and roster for the 2024 IIHF World Championship will be announced at a later date.

Canada will open the tournament against Great Britain on May 11 at 6:20 a.m. ET/3:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Denmark, Austria, Norway, Finland, Switzerland and Czechia in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 26. Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada’s National Men’s Team will play pre-tournament games against Austria at Steffl Arena in Vienna on May 5 and Hungary at the MVM Dome in Budapest on May 7.

For more information on Hockey Canada, Canada’s National Men’s Team and the 2024 IIHF World Championship, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL) will serve as general manager of Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and as management group lead for Canada’s National Men’s Team, overseeing the appointment of management groups that will lead Team Canada at various events over the next two seasons.

In preparation for the 2026 Olympics, Armstrong will serve on an executive committee with Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK/Anaheim, NHL), who will serve as player relations advisor, Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), president and chief executive officer, and Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB), chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy.

Armstrong will oversee Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off and 2025 IIHF World Championship, appointing and working with Canadian general managers and executives to help build Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team for the 2026 Olympics. Getzlaf will work directly with Armstrong and Salmond, acting as a liaison between athletes, the executive committee and management groups for the four upcoming events, ensuring consistency between teams, athletes and staff.

“There is a wealth of experienced and successful Canadian executives throughout the NHL, and we believe Doug is the best person to lead our National Men’s Team and build our management groups from a talented pool of executives at each event leading up to and including the 2026 Olympics,” McLaughlin said. “Doug and Ryan both bring accomplished careers and many years of NHL and international experience to Hockey Canada, and Scott has been instrumental in the success of Canada’s national teams at all levels for more than 20 years.

“We know all three individuals will be invaluable pieces of our executive committee as we build teams that will make Canadians proud over the next two years. Wearing the Maple Leaf is an honour and a privilege, and our executive committee is committed to ensuring our players and staff are supported on and off the ice to achieve continued success, while upholding the character and values that Canadians expect of our organization and teams.”

Armstrong has won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the management group with Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team (2010, 2014), as well as the 2016 World Cup of Hockey championship as general manager. He was also announced as general manager of Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team for the 2022 Olympics if NHL players participated. Armstrong has won gold medals at the IIHF World Championship in 2007 (special assistant), 2016 (senior advisor) and 2023 (general manager), and silver in 2008 (assistant general manager) and 2009 (general manager). He was also part of the Worlds staff in 2002 and 2013. Armstrong is in his 14th season (2010-24) as general manager of the St. Louis Blues, also serving as president of hockey operations, winning the Stanley Cup in 2019 and the NHL GM of the Year Award in 2011-12. He recently became the 11^th NHL general manager to record 800 career wins, and is the second-fastest to reach 800 win milestone. Armstrong previously spent 16 years (1992-2008) with the Dallas Stars, winning the Stanley Cup as assistant general manager in 1999.

Getzlaf is set to make his international management debut after a 17-year playing career with the Anaheim Ducks (2005-22), with whom he served as captain for 12 seasons (2010-22) and won the Stanley Cup in 2007. Getzlaf appeared in 1,157 NHL games, recording 1,019 points (282 goals, 737 assists), appearing in three NHL All-Star Games (2008, 2009, 2015). Internationally, he won gold medals at the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championship, 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship, and 2010 and 2014 Olympic Winter Games, in addition to the2016 World Cup of Hockey. Getzlaf also won silver at the 2004 World Juniors and 2008 IIHF World Championship, suited up at the 2002 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and captained Team Canada at the 2012 Worlds. He is in his first season as player development coordinator with Anaheim.

Salmond was promoted to senior vice-president of hockey operations with Hockey Canada in 2018 after serving as vice-president of national teams for four years. In this position, Salmond oversees all operations for Canada’s men’s, women’s and para hockey teams. He has helped lead Canada to gold medals at two Olympic Winter Games (2010, 2014), six IIHF World Championships (2003, 2004, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2023), seven IIHF World Junior Championships (2007, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2023), two IIHF U18 World Championships (2013, 2021), one IPC World Para Hockey Championship (2017) and one Paralympic Winter Games (2006), as well as a World Cup of Hockey championship (2016) and a Spengler Cup three-peat (2015, 2016, 2017). Salmond joined Hockey Canada in 2001 and has held increasingly senior high-performance roles during his tenure with the organization.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – The following are statements on behalf of Hockey Canada on the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) decision to participate in the 2026 and 2030 Olympic Winter Games, and host the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off:

“Earlier today, the NHL, NHLPA and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) made a highly anticipated announcement that NHL players will participate in the 2026 and 2030 Olympic Winter Games, and that the NHL will host the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. Hockey Canada recognizes this was a lengthy process that required a lot of deliberation and consideration, and we believe this decision is in the best interest of not only Team Canada, but international hockey as a whole.

“The participation of NHL players on the international stage in 2025 and at the Olympics marks a return to best-on-best competition in men’s hockey, and we know this decision will be well-received among the sporting community and hockey fans across the globe. We look forward to supporting our men’s, women’s and para hockey teams in their journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”

• Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada and co-chair of Canada’s Winter Sport Caucus 

“Representing Canada at the Olympic Winter Games is the pinnacle of sport, and the decision by the NHL and NHLPA to return to the Olympics and host the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025 is a significant announcement for our organization. We are excited to begin the process of building teams that include the best Canadian NHL players from across the country for the first time since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and to surround those athletes with high-quality management, coaching and support staffs that will do everything they can to help our athletes achieve their goal of winning Olympic gold medals. 

“We look forward to working with our hockey operations staff to build teams for the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, and the 2026 and 2030 Olympics, with the goal of returning to the top of the podium beginning in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.”

• Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB), Hockey Canada’s chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Chris DiDomenico tallied two points in his Team Canada debut at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship.

With friends and family cheering him on inside Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, he scored Canada’s sixth goal early in the third period, burying a feed from Tyler Ennis, and he helped set up Alex Pietrangelo later in the final frame as the Canadians opened with an 8-1 win over Czechia.

This week marks 15 years since he first stepped onto the international stage, so it’s fitting DiDomenico is donning the Maple Leaf once again, this time at his seventh Spengler Cup, serving as an alternate captain with Canada’s National Men’s Team in Davos.

“Whenever Team Canada comes together, it’s like a family,” DiDomenico says. “I want to lead by example on and off the ice because we’re all role models for young athletes and players, so its always special for myself and my family.”

After capturing the gold medal with Canada at the 2009 World Juniors, the former sixth-round pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs (164th overall in 2007) has made stops across North America and Europe, and at every stop, success followed.

A QMJHL champion with the Drummondville Voltigeurs in 2009, DiDomenico moved to Italy, after a pair of seasons in the American Hockey League and ECHL, playing an instrumental role in helping Asiago win the Serie A championship in 2013.

During the 2014-15 season, the Woodbridge, Ontario, native led the National League B (the second-highest league in Switzerland) with 25 goals, leading the SCL Tigers to promotion to the National League A.

He spent an additional two seasons with the Tigers before coming back to North America late in the 2016-17 campaign to finally make his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators; he went scoreless in three games before getting into 24 contests the following year, scoring his first NHL goal – the game-tying marker – with 37 seconds left in the third period of an eventual 5-4 shootout loss to the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 27, 2017.  

After that season, DiDomenico returned to Switzerland, bouncing from the SCL Tigers (2018-20) to HC Fribourg-Gottéron (2020-22) to SC Bern (2022-23) and back to Fribourg this season.

He has been a constant in the Canadian lineup at the Spengler Cup since his first stint in Europe, appearing in the tournament on six occasions before this season (2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022).

When he got his first call to represent Canada in Davos, he brought his winning pedigree to the tournament, capturing the title in 2015, 2016 and 2019. It’s a result he hopes to recreate again in 2023.

“The number-one goal is trying to win again,” DiDomenico says. “It’s the best feeling when you win, especially after last year, where we were left without a win, so hopefully we do better on the winning side this time around.”

Having been able to play all over the world, DiDomenico continues to appreciate the opportunities hockey has given him, He hopes to continue making the most of his chance as a Spengler Cup veteran.

“I always say to myself and my teammates, ‘Just give it your all,’” DiDomenico says. “You never know when your final game might be, so don’t give yourself any regrets. I just know that I’m fortunate to play the game and I’m going to work hard to honour what we do.”

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the 25 players who have been named to Canada’s National Men’s Team for the 2023 Spengler Cup, set for Dec. 26-31 in Davos, Switzerland.

Three goaltenders, nine defencemen and 13 forwards were selected by co-general managers Brad Pascall (Coquitlam, BC/Calgary, NHL) and Joe Thornton (St. Thomas, ON), and assistant general manager Hnat Domenichelli (Edmonton, AB/HC Lugano, NL), with support from Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. Head coach Bruce Boudreau (Toronto, ON/Niagara, OHL) and assistant coaches Larry Mitchell (Burlington, ON/EHC Kloten, NL), Jim Playfair (Fort St. James, BC/Prince George, WHL) and Jeff Tomlinson (Winnipeg, MB/EHC Kloten, NL) also provided input.

“We are proud to unveil the 25 players who will wear the Maple Leaf at this year’s Spengler Cup. This is a unique and exciting tournament, and we know these players will embrace the opportunity to compete for a historic championship,” Thornton said. “This is a skilled group that brings a variety of experience from the professional and international levels, and we believe this group will come together quickly and represent Canada with pride in Davos.”

The roster features five players (Ang, Beaudin, DiDomenico, Jooris, Sceviour) who previously played for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup, as well as six who wore the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Junior Team at the IIHF World Junior Championship (Beaulieu, DiDomenico, Heatherington, Milic, Quenneville, Smith). It also includes one player who suited up at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games (Knight) and one who won a gold medal at the 2021 IIHF World Championship (Beaudin).

Canada is grouped with host HC Davos and Frölunda HC for the preliminary round and will open the 2023 Spengler Cup against Frölunda HC on Dec. 26 at 2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT. Preliminary-round action wraps up on Dec. 28, with the championship game set for Dec. 31 at 6:10 a.m. ET/3:10 a.m. PT. TSN, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partner, will broadcast all 11 tournament games; please check local listings for details.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.