CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada has announced the first 20 players who will wear the Maple Leaf with Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, May 12-28 in Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia.
Ontario Junior Hockey League graduates on the team include a pair of former Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Jack McBain (Arizona Coyotes) and Jake Walman (Detroit Red Wings). Another selection, Tyler Toffoli (Calgary Flames), played for the Jr. Canadiens as a minor hockey affiliate player. Scott Laughton (Philadelphia Flyers) was an AP with the OJHL’s St. Michael’s Buzzers.
The initial roster, which includes two goaltenders, six defencemen and 12 forwards, was selected by a group led by general manager Doug Armstrong.
“We are excited to unveil the first 20 players who will wear the Maple Leaf at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, as this is a group that combines international experience with veteran leadership and young talent,” Armstrong said. “We know these players will represent our country with pride in Tampere and Riga, and we look forward to competing for a gold medal this month.”
Canada’s National Men’s Team roster additions will be announced in the coming weeks.
Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada’s National Men’s Team will practice at the MVM Dome in Budapest, Hungary, May 6-9. It will also face off against Hungary on May 9 as part of its pre-tournament schedule. Fans looking to secure their seat for the game in Budapest can purchase tickets online today.
Canada will open the 2023 IIHF World Championship against the host Latvians on May 12 at 1:20 p.m. ET/10:20 a.m. PT. It will also take on Slovenia, Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Norway and Czechia in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 28. TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will once again provide extensive coverage, with TSN broadcasting all 64 tournament games and RDS broadcasting 24 games.
Since 1931, Canada has collected 28 gold medals at the world championship, to go along with 16 silver and seven bronze.
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
