By Canadian Press

A closer look at each of the 23 players representing Canada at the World Cup

Sep 14, 2016 | 8:45 AM

Canada will have a vastly different look at the first World Cup of Hockey in 12 years, as Joe Thornton is the only remaining member from the championship-winning 2004 roster. A closer look at the 37-year-old and the 22 other players representing the nation in Toronto:

FORWARDS

SIDNEY CROSBY

The Penguins captain reclaimed his place on top of the sport last season with a resurgent second half and Conn Smythe-winning performance for the eventual Stanley Cup champions. The “golden goal” scorer at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Crosby was impactful as Canada’s captain in a gold-medal defence four years later in Sochi despite limited offensive production. The 29-year-old remains the face of Canadian hockey and leader of the red and white at the World Cup. 

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Toews seems to do just about everything, be it for the last two Canadian Olympic teams or the Chicago Blackhawks, winners of three Stanley Cups since 2010. Toews can score a key goal, lock down as a defensive stopper, win a game-clinching faceoff or kill a penalty. He was a surprising force for Canada in 2010 (eight points in seven games) and source of stability in Sochi, scoring the game-winning goal in the gold-medal game against Sweden. Canadian coach Mike Babcock surely knows what he can expect from Toews in Toronto.

RYAN O’REILLY

The 25-year-old from Clinton, Ont., is nothing like Tyler Seguin, the player he’s replacing on Team Canada. O’Reilly is a more of a meat and potatoes-type player, a big, strong reliable centre at both ends of the ice. He kills penalties, wins a heavy share of his draws (57 per cent last season) and has some skill, too, as evidenced by his 21 goals and 60 points for the Buffalo Sabres last season. He’s a different player from the flashy Seguin, but he’s one who can help the Canadians no less.

JOHN TAVARES

When Canada won gold in Sochi, Tavares celebrated with teammates in shirt and tie, suffering a devastating knee injury in the quarter-finals that forced him from the final two games. The Islanders captain has become a more impactful player since then, scoring 71 goals over the past two NHL seasons. An effective operator on the power play and powerful force capable of playing both centre and wing, Tavares will play a central role for the Canadians at the World Cup. 

STEVEN STAMKOS

Stamkos eclipsed 25 goals for the seventh time in eight NHL seasons, scoring 36 for the Lightning last season, including 14 on the power play. He brings that dangerous scoring prowess to Canada after missing out on the last Olympics because of injury. A natural centre like Tavares, he may line up on the wing for Babcock, perhaps alongside Crosby.

RYAN GETZLAF

Getzlaf didn’t score his second goal last season until late December, starting all too slowly for the Ducks. But he got back to form in the second half, finishing with 32 points over the final 34 regular-season games. Another returning Olympian, Getzlaf brings an imposing six-foot-four, 221-pound presence down the middle.

COREY PERRY

An Olympian in 2010 and 2014, Perry was nonetheless passed over for a spot on Canada’s initial World Cup roster. He replaced an injured Jeff Carter on the eve of camp. Perry was quiet with one assist in Sochi and is coming off an up-and-down year in Anaheim, but he remains one of the NHL’s most consistent goal-scorers. The 31-year-old, in fact, has averaged 40 goals over the past five 82-game seasons. He’s also an ever-pesky presence around the net and easy fit, if need be, next to Ducks teammate Getzlaf.

PATRICE BERGERON

Bergeron is coming off his best offensive season in nearly a decade (32 goals, 68 points), but it’s his jack-of-all-trades skill set that’s alluring to Canada. The long-time Bruins pivot can score, kill penalties, lock foes down defensively, win a key draw (57 per cent last season) and play the wing if needed.

MATT DUCHENE

Duchene secured a slot on the World Cup roster with another fine performance at the world championship, where he posted 10 points in 10 games en route to Canada’s second straight gold. A first-time 30-goal scorer for Colorado last season, Duchene is best known for his speed and can line up at wing or centre for Babcock, as he did at the 2014 Olympics.

CLAUDE GIROUX

The Flyers captain is a whiz with the puck and brings that creativity to Canada’s attack. Giroux is fourth in assists among NHL forwards over the past four seasons and one of the league’s top producers on the power play. He gets a chance with the Canadians after being passed over for the 2014 Olympic squad.

BRAD MARCHAND

A well-known agitator, Marchand became one of the NHL’s top goal-scorers this past season, setting a career-high with 37 for Boston. Fleet of a foot and a forceful hitter, Marchand is also a pest in front of the net and dangerous penalty killer who should provide a little bit of everything.

JOE THORNTON

Thornton, who at 37 continues to defy his age, tied for fourth in league scoring with 82 points during the regular season. It was his best campaign since 2009-10, his 63 assists tops among all NHL forwards. Thornton offers experience and creativity down the middle and an intelligent presence on the power-play.

LOGAN COUTURE

Thornton’s teammate and sometimes linemate in San Jose, Couture replaced Benn earlier this month. He’s coming off a sizzling post-season run for the Sharks, leading all players in scoring. The 27-year-old is strong on both sides of the puck, has terrific speed and can line up in an any kind of role.

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DEFENCE

DREW DOUGHTY

A revelation at his first Olympics in Vancouver, Doughty was again a dominating force for Canada in Sochi. Doughty had four goals and six points (tied for the team lead), logged big minutes and seemed to transcend even the best the game had to offer at the 2014 Games. The same will be expected of the Kings star at the World Cup, especially with Duncan Keith’s absence due to injury.

SHEA WEBER

No Canadian logged more minutes in Sochi and though his game is probably trending downward, the 31-year-old Montreal Canadien remains a heavy defensive presence with a big shot and someone Babcock will lean on in Toronto. 

MARC-EDOUARD VLASIC

Vlasic plays big, effective and probably underrated minutes for the Stanley Cup finalist San Jose Sharks. He’s the modern shutdown defender, more apt to employ positioning and stickwork than a big hit. He also played next to Doughty in Sochi, providing a smart, safe, puck-moving presence next to Canada’s most dynamic defender.

ALEX PIETRANGELO

The fourth overall pick of the 2008 draft, Pietrangelo has grown into a workhorse and captain for the St. Louis Blues. Much like he did in Sochi, Pietrangelo should fit on the right side of a third pair, killing penalties and absorbing a heavy dose of defensive zone starts for Babcock. It’s won’t be the prettiest role, but one the King City, Ont., native is more than capable of playing.

BRENT BURNS

Perhaps no player has done more to raise his stock for Canada since the 2014 Olympics than Burns. He’s scored more goals than any other defender over the past two seasons and more points than all but the prolific Erik Karlsson. He also finished second in post-season scoring last spring, notching 24 points in 24 games. The six-foot-five Burns gets around the ice like someone much smaller, a skilled weapon for Canada to whip out on the power play. He can line up at forward if necessary.

JAKE MUZZIN

Long in the shadow of Doughty, Muzzin gets a chance to step into the spotlight with only his second appearance for Canada internationally. A left shot who could line up alongside Doughty with Keith sidelined, Muzzin is a reliable defender, effective penalty killer and someone who regularly logs huge minutes for a L.A. squad that’s won two of the last five Stanley Cups.

JAY BOUWMEESTER

Bouwmeester’s familiarity to Canada’s brass helped earn a spot in place of Keith. The 32-year-old played in Sochi alongside Pietrangelo, also his full-time partner on defence for the Blues. Bouwmeester has declined some since 2014. Still, he offers Babcock a safe, seemingly dependable presence on the left side of the back end.

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GOAL

CAREY PRICE

Price should be Canada’s guy in goal, and his credentials need little elaboration. The only question is the sharpness of the 2015 Vezina Trophy winner, who hasn’t played a game since late November after a mid-season knee injury. Price is the NHL’s undisputed top goaltender when healthy and he gave up only three goals in six games in Sochi.

BRADEN HOLTBY

Holtby became a first-time Vezina Trophy winner last season, tying Martin Brodeur’s NHL record with 48 wins during the regular season. The 26-year-old has only represented Canada once before but could challenge for Canada’s starting role if Price isn’t sharp right away.

COREY CRAWFORD

A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Crawford has become a source of sustained excellence for the Blackhawks, posting a save percentage of .924 or higher in three of the past four seasons. He had perhaps the best year of his NHL career last season, setting career-highs with 35 wins and seven shutouts. He’ll represent Canada for the first time.

Jonas Siegel, The Canadian Press