World Cup of Hockey 2016: Get to know Canada’s forwards
So yeah, they’re pretty good.
Finally we arrive at the juggernaut of international hockey. Team Canada boasts a star-studded forward group, including Joe Thornton and Logan Couture. Besides the San Jose representatives, players like Patrice Bergeron, Steven Stamkos and Sidney Crosby make Canada the team to beat — just like always.
Scrolling through the list, a fun game is to try to figure out who will play on the fourth line for Canada. Corey Perry? Matt Duchene? Brad Marchand? That’s a pretty killer fourth line — one that could be slotted much higher in a lineup for just about every other team in this tournament.
If you’re watching the World Cup of Hockey with the hope that your team (assuming you aren’t pro-Canada) can take down Hockey’s First Nation, godspeed. If you’re more interested in seeing a group of superstars making incredible plays while wearing the same jersey, you’re in luck.
Team Canada Forwards
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks
Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
John Tavares, New York Islanders
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
Players to Watch
Joe Thornton
It’s been awhile since Jumbo got a chance to wear the Canada jersey. He scored two points in seven games at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010 and before that notched three in six games in the Torino Olympics in 2006. We know what Thornton brings to the table — elite passing and amazing hockey sense. Now we wait to see who gets to play with the San Jose legend.
Logan Couture
Couture had played in just 12 regular season NHL games when Thornton last played for Team Canada, but the center has never had the honor to do so himself. He played for the under-18 team at World Juniors in 2007, where he scored four points in six games, but he has not dressed for Canada since.
Sidney Crosby
In what is perhaps the most predictable move of the tournament thus far, Sidney Crosby will be captaining Team Canada. This is not Crosby’s first rodeo, as he’s won Olympic gold for Canada twice, to go along with his World Cup gold and a gold and silver from the World Juniors. Canada will expect a strong performance out of their captain and they will likely get it: he’s got 37 points in 31 international games played.
Group: A
First Game: Team Czech Republic vs. Team Canada, 5 p.m. PT, ESPNEWS