“We are excited about the first group of players that have committed to representing Canada at the World Championship,” said Blake. “We have a good mix of experience and youth at both the professional and international level.”

Fifteen of the twenty players named by Hockey Canada have previous international experience, with five players (Burrows, Chimera, Methot, Myers, Reimer) who represented Canada at previous IIHF World Championships. Chimera won gold at the 2007 IIHF World Championship in Moscow, Russia. (Note: Turris also skated as an alternate player with Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Championship). Kevin Bieksa, Troy Brouwer, Jason Garrison, Ben Scrivens and Joel Ward will be representing Canada on the international stage for the first time.

Over the past week, Blake has confirmed the following 20 players:

Goalkeepers:
James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Ben Scrivens, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)

Defencemen:
Kevin Bieksa, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Ryan Ellis, Nashville Predators (NHL)
Jason Garrison, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Erik Gudbranson, Florida Panthers (NHL)
Marc Methot, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)

Forwards:
Troy Brouwer, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Alexandre Burrows, Vancouver Canucks (NHL)
Jason Chimera, Washington Capitals (NHL)
Cody Hodgson, Buffalo Sabres (NHL)
Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers (NHL)
Nazem Kadri, Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames (NHL)
David Perron, Edmonton Oilers (NHL)
Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets (NHL)
Kyle Turris, Ottawa Senators (NHL)
Joel Ward, Washington Capitals (NHL)