ZURICH-KLOTEN, Switzerland – Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong announced on Wednesday the addition of goaltender Chris Mason (Red Deer, Alta./St. Louis, NHL) to Canada’s roster for the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, which runs from April 24-May 10 in Zurich-Kloten and Bern.

Mason was an alternate for Canada at the 20 IIHF World Championships, winning a gold medal in 2007 in Moscow, Russia. He established career highs this past season with 57 games played, 27 wins and 33 consecutive starts to finish the regular season.

Canada’s roster now includes 21 players – three goaltenders, six defencemen and 12 forwards, as well as two alternates. Canada can name up to 25 players on its final roster.

The roster now includes 14 players with world championship experience (Armstrong, Doan, Fisher, Hamhuis, Heatley, Horcoff, Lombardi, Mason, Phillips, Roloson, Roy, St. Louis, Spezza, Weber). Seven of the IIHF World Championship rookies (Doughty, Harding, Neal, Schenn, Stamkos, Upshall, White) have had international experience with the National Junior Team.

Armstrong and assistant general managers Pierre Gauthier and Joe Nieuwendyk, along with Hockey Canada executive vice-president of hockey operations Johnny Misley, will continue to monitor the NHL playoff situation and could name more players to Canada’s 2009 IIHF World Championship roster after the first round of the NHL playoffs.

Canada’s IIHF World Championship management group is working closely with Canada’s 2010 Olympic management group, led by executive director Steve Yzerman, in assembling this team and using this as an additional opportunity to prepare for the 2009-10 season, which will include the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Canada faces Belarus in its first game at the 2009 IIHF World Championship, on Friday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m. ET./7 a.m. PT.

TSN/RDS will broadcast all of Canada’s games at the IIHF World Championship live across Canada. Check your local listings for game times in your area.