World Championships: Roster Shaping Up

There has not been a lot of Sidney Crosby news since the playoffs began. That is kind of expected when his team doesn't make the playoffs, eh?

In any event, Team Canada is shaping up their roster for the upcoming World Championships in Riga, Latvia. Crosby will be there, as will 8 others named so far.

Canadian hockey officials unveiled their preliminary roster Saturday for the upcoming world championships in Lativa.

Hockey Canada named nine players to the team that will compete in the tournament which begins May 5.

Forwards Patrice Bergeron, Kyle Calder and Mike Comrie along with goalie Marc Denis and defenceman Nick Schultz are all gold medallists at previous world championships.

Defenceman Brad Stuart was part of the team that won in 2001.

Vancouver goalie Alex Auld, Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby and Brad Boyes of the Bruins will make their tournament debuts.

All three also played for Canada in the world junior championship.

"We are very excited about this first group of players that has committed to play for Canada," general manager Ken Holland said in a statement.

"I believe that this group of players is well prepared for the world championship because of their international experience at the junior level or the men's level."

I like the fact that Canada is going with a young and enthusiastic roster. It's hard enough to get players to play for Canada at this tournament, so we might as well have only the most committed named to the squad. I'd love to see Crosby vs Ovechkin in the Canada/Russia game.