Nathan MacKinnon To Join Team Canada For IIHF World Championships
By Andrew Dill
Apr 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) reacts to his assist against the Minnesota Wild in the second period during game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
After being eliminated from the first-round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon won’t have to wait long to lace up the skates.
MacKinnon, 18, has been invited to join Team Canada for the IIHF World Championships which will begin Friday as Canada will take on France at Chizkovka Arena in Zurich. He was added to the roster Sunday along with three other players; Brayden Schenn and Matt Read of the Philadelphia Flyers.
MacKinnon, who was the first overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft made quite the impression in his rookie season with the Colorado Avalanche. In Colorado’s seven game series against the Minnesota Wild, Nathan would collect 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists). He would lead all rookies in points with 63, tied 1st in goals with 24 (Tyler Johnson – Tampa Bay Lightning), and assists with 39. He would also be second among rookies in power-play goals with 17; tied for 1st in game-winning goals with 5.
Team Canada Roster:
Forwards:
Tyler Bozak — Toronto Maple Leafs
Troy Brouwer — Washington Capitals
Jason Chimera — Washington Capitals
Cody Hodgson — Buffalo Sabres
Jonathan Huberdeau — Florida Panthers
Nazem Kadri — Toronto Maple Leafs
Nathan MacKinnon — Colorado Avalanche
Sean Monahan — Calgary Flames
David Perron — Edmonton Oilers
Matt Read — Philadelphia Flyers
Mark Scheifele — Winnipeg Jets
Brayden Schenn — Philadelphia Flyers
Kyle Turris — Ottawa Senators
Joel Ward — Washington Capitals
Defense:
Kevin Bieksa — Vancouver Canucks
Ryan Ellis — Nashville Predators
Jason Garrison — Vancouver Canucks
Erik Gudbranson — Florida Panthers
Marc Methot – Ottawa Senators
Tyler Myers — Buffalo Sabres
Morgan Rielly — Toronto Maple Leafs
Goaltenders:
James Reimer — Toronto Maple Leafs
Ben Scrivens — Edmonton Oilers
Justin Peters — Carolina Hurricanes