HELSINKI, Finland – Hockey Canada announced Thursday the addition of defenceman Kris Russell (Caroline, Alta./St. Louis, NHL) to Canada’s National Men’s Team roster for the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. Hockey Canada has now completed its roster, reaching the maximum of 25 players, including three goaltenders, nine defencemen and 13 forwards.

Russell will be representing Canada for a fifth time in international play. He played at the 2010 IIHF World Championship, won gold medals with Canada’s National Junior Team at the 20 IIHF World Junior Championships, and played for Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team, winning a gold medal at the 2004 Junior World Cup.

Canada’s management for the world championship is comprised of general manager Kevin Lowe, Hockey Canada's vice-president of hockey operations and national teams Brad Pascall, and assistant general managers, Peter Chiarelli (Ottawa, Ont./Boston, NHL) and Dave Nonis (Burnaby, B.C./Toronto, NHL).

Canada’s world championship management is also supported by members of Canada’s National Men’s Team management group, comprised of executive director Steve Yzerman (Nepean, Ont./Tampa Bay, NHL), Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, Ont./St. Louis, NHL), Ken Holland (Vernon, B.C./Detroit, NHL), Bob Nicholson (Penticton, B.C./Hockey Canada), Lowe and Pascall.

The 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship runs from May 4-20, in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden, with Canada based out of Helsinki for the entire event. Canada, with a record of three wins and one overtime loss, faces the host country Finland on Friday, May 11. TSN and RDS are broadcasting all of Canada’s games at the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship; check your local listings to get the broadcast time in your area.

For more information on Hockey Canada, its teams, events and programs, please visitwww.HockeyCanada.ca.

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