21 OHL grads named to initial WCH Rosters
Wednesday March 2, 2016
The Ontario Hockey League is well represented across preliminary 16-man rosters for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey which returns to Toronto in September.
A total of 21 league alumni were named among the 128 players unveiled on Wednesday who will compete on eight teams in a best-on-best international showcase.
The World Cup of Hockey is a joint effort of the NHLPA and the NHL, in cooperation with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). It is expected that more than 150 of the best players in the NHL will participate in this tournament.
The tournament features six nations including Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden, and the United States, along with a team of European players from countries outside the competing four, and a team of under 23-year-old players from North America. All eight entries have listed at least one OHL graduate to date.
Team North America leads the way with seven former OHL players all of whom graduated from the league in the last four seasons. The list most recently includes 2015’s Most Outstanding OHL Player and first overall NHL pick Connor McDavid, along with 2014 first overall pick and NHL Rookie of the Year Aaron Ekblad who finished his OHL career two seasons ago. Goaltender Matt Murray, who earned AHL Goaltender of the Year honours last season, also graduated from the OHL in 2014.
Canada’s roster offers no lack of success among the first 16 players selected including Olympic gold medalists Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty, and John Tavares. Joining the trio are fellow OHL alumni including former first overall pick Steven Stamkos and 2010 Red Tilson Trophy winner Tyler Seguin.
The format will feature all eight teams separated into two groups for a preliminary round played from Sept. 17-22. Group A will consist of Canada, Czech Republic, Europe, and USA, with Group B including Finland, North America, Russia, and Sweden. The top two finishers in each group will advance to the semifinals Sept. 24-25, followed by a best-of-three final with games played on Sept. 27, Sept. 29 and, if necessary, Oct 1. All games will be played at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre. Full rosters must be named prior to the June 1 deadline.
OHL Alumni Named to 2016 World Cup of Hockey Preliminary Rosters:
Canada:
Jeff Carter (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds/Los Angeles Kings)
Drew Doughty (Guelph Storm/Los Angeles Kings)
Tyler Seguin (Plymouth Whalers/Dallas Stars)
Steven Stamkos (Sarnia Sting/Tampa Bay Lightning)
John Tavares (London Knights/New York Islanders)
Czech Republic:
Petr Mrazek (Ottawa 67’s/Detroit Red Wings)
Michal Neuvirth (Oshawa Generals/Philadelphia Flyers)
Europe:
Mikkel Boedker (Kitchener Rangers/Colorado Avalanche)
Andrej Sekera (Owen Sound Attack/Edmonton Oilers)
Finland:
Olli Maatta (London Knights/Pittsburgh Penguins)
North America (23 & Under):
John Gibson (Kitchener Rangers/Anaheim Ducks)
Matt Murray (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds/Pittsburgh Penguins)
Aaron Ekblad (Barrie Colts/Florida Panthers)
Connor McDavid (Erie Otters/Edmonton Oilers)
J.T. Miller (Plymouth Whalers/New York Rangers)
Sean Monahan (Ottawa 67’s/Calgary Flames)
Brandon Saad (Saginaw Spirit/Columbus Blue Jackets)
Russia:
Vladislav Namestnikov (London Knights/Tampa Bay Lightning)
Sweden:
Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener Rangers/Colorado Avalanche)
United States:
John Carlson (London Knights/Washington Capitals)
Patrick Kane (London Knights/Chicago Blackhawks)
For more information on the 2016 World Cup of Hockey visit www.wch2016.com.