CALGARY, Alberta – Following the June unveiling of its first six players for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Hockey Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), has announced the full roster for the tournament, set for Feb. 12-20, 2025, in Montréal, Québec, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Three goaltenders, seven defencemen and 13 forwards were selected by general manager Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL), associate general manager Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL), assistant GM Julien BriseBois (Greenfield Park, QC/Tampa Bay, NHL) and director of player personnel Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL). Head coach Jon Cooper (Prince George, BC/Tampa Bay, NHL) and assistant coaches Bruce Cassidy (Ottawa, ON/Vegas, NHL), Peter DeBoer (Dunnville, ON/Dallas, NHL), Rick Tocchet (Scarborough, ON/Vancouver, NHL) and Misha Donskov (London, ON/Dallas, NHL) also provided input.

Hockey Canada’s executive committee, which includes Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL), management group lead and general manager of Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK/Anaheim, NHL), Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), president and chief executive officer, and Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB), chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy, also supported the roster selection process.

“Anticipation has been building around the Canadian roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off, and today we are thrilled to unveil the group of players who have earned the opportunity to represent Canada in Montréal and Boston in February,” Sweeney said. “We believe we have assembled a roster that features world-class talent, as well as success at the NHL and international levels, and we are confident this group will give us the best chance to accomplish our goal on the international stage.”

The roster includes 17 players who have suited up for Canada’s National Junior Team at the IIHF World Junior Championship (Binnington, Cirelli, Crosby, Konecny, MacKinnon, Makar, Marchand, Marner, McDavid, Montembeault, Morrissey, Pietrangelo, Point, Reinhart, Sanheim, Stone, Theodore) and 19 who have played for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the IIHF World Championship (Binnington, Cirelli, Crosby, Hagel, Hill, Konecny, MacKinnon, Marchand, Marner, McDavid, Montembeault, Morrissey, Parayko, Pietrangelo, Point, Reinhart, Sanheim, Stone, Theodore). The players have won a combined 20 Stanley Cups, as well as three Olympic gold medals, 10 gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship, nine gold at the IIHF World Championship and five gold at the IIHF U18 World Championship.

“This is an exciting time for the NHL and international hockey, and we know our players are excited and grateful for the opportunity to play for Canada and take on the top players from the participating countries,” Cooper said. “This event is an important part of the process as we continue to build teams that can be successful on the international stage, and we look forward to our group gathering in February and competing for a championship in Montréal and Boston.”

Canada will open the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden on Feb. 12, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT at the Bell Centre in Montréal. It will also take on the United States on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Montréal and Finland on Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT at TD Garden in Boston before the tournament concludes with the championship game on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Boston.

For more information on the 4 Nations Face-Off, please visit the official tournament page.

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, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), has announced the coaching and support staffs for the 4 Nations Face-Off, set for Feb. 12-20 in Montréal, Québec, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Assistant coaches Bruce Cassidy (Ottawa, ON/Vegas, NHL), Peter DeBoer (Dunnville, ON/Dallas, NHL), Rick Tocchet (Scarborough, ON/Vancouver, NHL) and Misha Donskov (London, ON/Dallas, NHL), and video coach James Emery (Calgary, AB) have been named to the coaching staff alongside Jon Cooper (Prince George, BC/Tampa Bay, NHL), who was named head coach in June.

The coaching staff was selected by Cooper, general manager Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL), associate GM Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL), assistant GM Julien BriseBois (Greenfield Park, QC/Tampa Bay, NHL) and director of player personnel Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL), with support from Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations.

“I am excited to welcome Bruce, Peter, Misha, Rick and James to the coaching staff for the 4 Nations Face-Off, as this is a highly-skilled group of coaches that bring impressive accolades and experience at all levels of the game,” Cooper said. “I know our players will greatly benefit from this world-class coaching staff, and I look forward to working alongside all five and representing Canada in international competition in February.”

Cassidy has served as the head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights for the past two seasons (2022-24), winning the Stanley Cup in 2023. He joined Vegas after more than five seasons (2018-22) as head coach of the Boston Bruins, leading the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final in 2019 and winning the Jack Adams Award in 2019-20. Cassidy also served one season (2016-17) as an assistant with Boston, as well as eight seasons (2008-16) as head coach of the AHL’s Providence Bruins. He was also the head coach of the Washington Capitals (2002-04), an assistant with the Chicago Blackhawks (2005-06), head coach of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs (2006-08) and head coach of the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins in (2001-02), winning the Louis A.R. Pieri Award as AHL coach of the year. As a player, Cassidy represented Canada at the 1984 IIHF World Junior Championship and suited up for Canada’s National Men’s Team during the 1986-87 season.

DeBoer has been the head coach of the Dallas Stars for the past two seasons (2022-24) after more than two seasons as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights (2020-22). He has also served as head coach of the San Jose Sharks (2015-19), New Jersey Devils (2011-14) and Florida Panthers (2008-11), making two appearances in the Stanley Cup Final (2012, 2016). DeBoer also served as an assistant coach with the OHL’s Detroit Jr. Red Wings (1993-95), as well as GM and head coach of the Detroit Jr. Whalers (1995-97), Plymouth Whalers (1997-2001) and Kitchener Rangers (2001-08), winning the Memorial Cup in 2003. Internationally, he was an assistant coach at the 1998 and 2005 IIHF World Junior Championships, winning gold in 2005, and was an assistant at four IIHF World Championships (2010, 2011, 2014, 2015), winning gold in 2015. He was also named an assistant with Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but was unable to attend.

Tocchet is entering his second full season as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks after winning the Jack Adams Award in 2023-24. Previously, he spent three years as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2014-17), winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Tocchet has also served as head coach (2017-21) and assistant coach (2005-06) with the Arizona Coyotes, assistant (2008-09) and head coach (2009-10) of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche (2002-04). He played 1,144 NHL games over 18 seasons, winning the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 1992. He also won the Canada Cup twice (1987, 1991) and suited up for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the 1990 IIHF World Championship.

Donskov is entering his second season as an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars. Previously, he spent more than three years (2020-23) as an assistant coach and four (2016-20) as director of hockey operations with the Vegas Golden Knights, winning the Stanley Cup in 2023. He was also an assistant coach with the OHL’s London Knights (2009-12) and held the position of assistant general manager for one season (2011-12), winning an OHL championship in 2012. He also served as an associate coach with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s and video coach with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team before joining Hockey Canada in 2014 as manager of hockey operations, analytics and video, winning two IIHF World Championship gold medals – one as video coach (2015) and one as assistant coach (2016) - and a gold medal at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship as video coach. He also won the 2016 World Cup of Hockey as an assistant coach and the 2019 Spengler Cup as director of hockey operations and assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Team.

The support staff that will work with Canada’s entry at the 4 Nations Face-Off includes:

• Athletic therapists Kent Kobelka (Revelstoke, BC/Calgary, NHL) and Domenic Nicoletta (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Ottawa, NHL)
• Massage therapist Andy Hüppi (Schmerikon, SUI)
• Team physician Dr. Ian Auld (Victoria, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Equipment managers John Forget (Oshawa, ON/Ottawa, NHL) and Darren Granger (Brandon, MB/Los Angeles, NHL)
• Hockey operations managers Mitchell Furlotte (Bathurst, NB) and Kurt Keats (Winnipeg, MB)
• Media relations director Sean Kelso (Vancouver, BC/Calgary, NHL)
• Media relations manager Spencer Sharkey (Hamilton, ON)

“We believe we have assembled an elite group of coaches and support staff that will be key contributors to Team Canada’s success as we continue to prepare for international competition this season,” Sweeney said. “Each individual brings unique experience to our team that will prepare our players to be at their best, and we know everyone is excited for the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf with pride.”

Canada will open the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden on Feb. 12, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT at the Bell Centre in Montréal. It will also take on the United States on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Montréal and Finland on Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT at TD Garden in Boston before the tournament concludes with the championship on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Boston.

Canada’s full roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off will be announced between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2. For more information, please visit the official tournament page.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that a pair of veteran National Hockey League (NHL) general managers have been added to its management group for the 4 Nations Face-Off, set for Feb. 12-20 in Montréal, Québec, and Boston, Massachusetts.

Two-time Stanley Cup champion Julien BriseBois (Greenfield Park, QC/Tampa Bay, NHL) will make his international management debut as assistant general manager, while Kyle Dubas (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/Pittsburgh, NHL), who served as associate GM at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, has been named director of player personnel alongside general manager Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL) and associate GM Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL).

In addition, BriseBois and Dubas have been named to Canada’s Men’s Olympic Team management group as assistant general manager and director of player personnel, respectively. They will work alongside GM Doug Armstrong (Sarnia, ON/St. Louis, NHL) and assistant general managers Sweeney and Nill, as well as player relations advisor Ryan Getzlaf (Regina, SK/Anaheim, NHL) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer, and Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB), chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy, will also provide support as part of the executive committee preparing for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

“Julien and Kyle are accomplished NHL general managers, and I am excited to welcome them to our management group for both the 4 Nations Face-Off and Olympics, as I believe they will be strong assets to a well-rounded management team,” Armstrong said. “Both Julien and Kyle have enjoyed long and successful careers, and we believe their experience and knowledge of NHL players will be a great addition to our staff as we continue to evaluate Canadian players and build rosters for international competition.”

BriseBois has been the general manager and vice-president of hockey operations with the Tampa Bay Lightning for six seasons (2018-24), winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. Previously, he served as assistant general manager of Tampa Bay (2010-18) and general manager of the Syracuse Crunch and Norfolk Admirals (2010-19) of the American Hockey League (AHL), winning the Calder Cup in 2012. He also spent time with the Montréal Canadiens, serving as vice-president of hockey operations (2006-10), director of hockey operations (2003-06) and director of legal affairs (2001-03), and was also the general manager of the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs (2007-10), winning the Calder Cup in 2007.

Dubas is entering his second season as general manager and president of hockey operations with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Previously, he spent nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, serving five seasons (2018-23) as general manager, becoming the second-youngest GM in NHL history. He also spent four seasons (2014-18) as assistant general manager and GM of the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL), leading the team to its first Calder Cup championship in 2018. Dubas started his front-office career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), serving four seasons (2003-07) as a scout and three seasons (2011-14) as general manager.

“Jim and I are thrilled to have Julien and Kyle join our management group for the 4 Nations Face-Off, and to work alongside them as we prepare for the Olympics,” Sweeney said. “Both are successful NHL general managers that bring a wealth of knowledge, many years of experience at the professional level and great leadership skills that will be beneficial to our coaches, support staff and players.”

Canada will open the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden on Feb. 12, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT at the Bell Centre in Montréal. It will also take on the United States on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Montréal and Finland on Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT at TD Garden in Boston before the tournament concludes with the championship game on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Boston.

The full roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off will be announced between Nov. 29-Dec. 2, while the assistant coaches and support staff will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on the 4 Nations Face-Off, please visit the official tournament page.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), has announced the first six players who will wear the Maple Leaf at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Feb. 12-20, 2025, in Montréal, Québec, and Boston, Massachusetts.

The initial roster includes Sidney Crosby (Cole Harbour, NS/Pittsburgh, NHL), Nathan MacKinnon (Cole Harbour, NS/Colorado, NHL), Cale Makar (Calgary, AB/Colorado, NHL), Brad Marchand (Hammonds Plains, NS/Boston, NHL), Connor McDavid (Newmarket, ON/Edmonton, NHL) and Brayden Point (Calgary, AB/Tampa Bay, NHL), and was selected by general manager Don Sweeney (St. Stephen, NB/Boston, NHL) and associate general manager Jim Nill (Hanna, AB/Dallas, NHL). Head coach Jon Cooper (Prince George, BC/Tampa Bay, NHL) and Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, also provided input.

The initial list includes three former first-overall picks in the NHL Draft (Crosby, MacKinnon, McDavid), while all six players have suited up for Canada’s National Junior Team at the IIHF World Junior Championship and five have played for Canada’s National Men’s Team at the IIHF World Championship (Crosby, MacKinnon, Marchand, McDavid, Point). The six players have won a combined eight Stanley Cups, as well as two gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games, six gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship, four gold and two silver at the IIHF World Championship, and gold and bronze at the IIHF U18 World Championship.

“We are excited to announce the first six players who will represent Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, as these are six world-class players and leaders on their NHL teams that we can build a strong and successful team around,” Sweeney said. “Sidney, Nathan, Cale, Brad, Connor and Brayden have been successful at various levels of their professional and international careers, and we look forward to all six being key contributors to our team as we look to win on the international stage next season.”

Crosby has played in 1,272 games over 19 seasons (2005-24) with the Pittsburgh Penguins, serving as captain for 17 seasons and amassing 1,596 career points (592 goals, 1,004 assists). He has also collected 201 points (71 goals, 130 assists) in 180 playoff games, helping the Penguins win the Stanley Cup three times (2009, 2016, 2017). Over the course of his career, Crosby has won the Ted Lindsay Award three times, the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy twice, as well as the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Internationally, he won back-to-back gold medals at the Olympic Winter Games, as well as gold and silver at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He also won gold at the IIHF World Championship, becoming a member of the IIHF’s Triple Gold Club – the first to win all three as captain - and won the World Cup of Hockey.

MacKinnon recently completed his 11th season (2013-24) with the Colorado Avalanche, where he has served as an alternate captain for the past eight years. He has played in 791 career games, registering 899 points (335 goals, 564 assists), and has contributed 114 points (48 goals, 66 assists) in 88 career playoff games. He helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022, and has won the Calder Trophy, Lady Byng Trophy, Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. MacKinnon has worn the Maple Leaf five times, winning a gold and silver medal at the IIHF World Championship, and gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup. He also suited up at the IIHF World Junior Championship and played for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey.

Makar has suited up in 315 career games over five seasons (2019-24) with the Colorado Avalanche, registering 336 points (86 goals, 250 assists). He has also appeared in 72 career playoff games, collecting 80 points (21 goals, 59 assists), earning the Conn Smythe Trophy while helping Colorado win the Stanley Cup in 2022. Makar has also won the Calder Trophy and Norris Trophy, as well as the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men’s hockey. Internationally, he won a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship, and suited up for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge twice, winning one gold medal.

Marchand has spent 15 seasons (2009-24) with the Boston Bruins, serving his first season as captain in 2023-24 after five years as an alternate captain. He has amassed 929 career points (401 goals, 528 assists) in 1,029 games, as well as 138 points (56 goals, 82 assists) in 157 playoff games, and won the Stanley Cup in 2011. On the international stage, Marchand won back-to-back gold medals at the IIHF World Junior Championship, a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship and the World Cup of Hockey.

McDavid recently completed his ninth season (2015-24) with the Edmonton Oilers, leading the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in his eighth season as captain. In 645 career games, he has registered 982 points (335 goals, 647 assists), and has added 117 points (37 goals, 80 assists) in 74 playoff games. McDavid has registered 100 or more points in seven different seasons, helping him win the Art Ross Trophy five times, the Ted Lindsay Award four times, the Hart Trophy three times and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy once. He has suited up for Canada five times, winning gold at the IIHF U18 World Championship, IIHF World Junior Championship and IIHF World Championship. McDavid also played for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey.

Point has played for the Tampa Bay Lightning for his entire eight-year NHL career (2016-24), collecting 553 points (264 goals, 289 assists) in 580 career games, as well as 87 points (42 goals, 45 assists) in 87 playoff games. He scored 14 goals in the playoffs in two-consecutive seasons to help the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups (2020, 2021). Internationally, Point has won silver at the IIHF World Championship, gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship, gold at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and bronze at the IIHF U18 World Championship.

The full roster will be announced between Nov. 29-Dec. 2, while the coaching and support staffs will be announced in the coming months. 

Canada will open the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden on Feb. 12, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT at the Bell Centre in Montréal. It will also take on the United States on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Montréal and Finland on Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT at TD Garden in Boston before the tournament concludes with the championship on Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT in Boston. 

For more information on the 4 Nations Face-Off, please visit the official tournament page.

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, X and Instagram.

Near the end of the 1850s, thousands of prospectors made their way to the Southern Rocky Mountains, part of present-day Colorado, in search of a life-changing fortune during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush.

More than 160 years later, Colorado remains home to a large collection of gold – although now it all belongs to Matt Duchene.

At every event the Colorado Avalanche forward has tried his luck internationally, he has brought home gold. It hasn’t always been on his first try (only most of the time), but eventually gold finds its way around his neck.

Ten times Duchene has worn the red and white of Team Canada – the 2016 World Cup of Hockey is his 11th appearance – and seven times the Haliburton, Ont., native has brought home the big prize.

So is success following Duchene, or does Duchene help create success?

“He’s been in the cross-hairs of the ‘go-to’ players since he was playing Midget and even before that,” says Doug Armstrong, Canada’s general manager at the World Cup. “He’s always been comfortable being who he is on the ice and that’s what’s made him a high draft choice and a top NHL player.”

By the time he was selected No. 3 by the Avalanche in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Duchene already had three gold medals to his name, all won in an eight-month span; with Ontario at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, as an under-ager at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championship, and at the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament.

Not a bad start to his international career.

He added a Spengler Cup title in 2012 during the NHL lockout, an Olympic gold medal in 2014, and back-to-back IIHF World Championship gold medals in 2015 and 2016 (after unsuccessful trips to worlds in 2010, 2011 and 2013).

While being one of the fastest and most talented players on the ice has always helped Duchene crack Team Canada rosters, his commitment and attitude hasn’t gone unnoticed; national team staff can see just how seriously he approaches the game.

But Duchene says it’s not a one-way street. While he puts in the work for Team Canada, Team Canada has put in the work to make his international experiences memorable.

“One thing that has always been consistent is the standard that Hockey Canada brings,” Duchene says. “In terms of players and coaches, the way things are taken care of for us is always first-class.

“To be around so many great people and to have had the chance to be along for the ride so many times just made it that much more exciting to have the international success I’ve been able to have.”

From a nationally-televised gold medal game at U17s to the brightest lights in all of sports in Sochi, Duchene has gotten accustomed to the pressures and expectations that come with wearing red and white.

It doesn’t hurt that he thrives on the big stage, and embraces his Team Canada opportunities.

“He’s a proven winner for Team Canada and someone I had the privilege to get to know a little bit over the years,” Armstrong says. “He’s someone who loves to wear the Canadian jersey and takes great pride in playing for his country.”

“Just being named is always an honour,” Duchene says. “The first day you walk in [the locker room] and see that logo in your stall, it’s extremely special and something I never take for granted.

“The cool part about Team Canada is that it’s incredibly hard to make the team, but once you’re on it you know that you’ve got a damn good chance at coming away with a championship.”

But it’s not just the on-ice talents that have helped Duchene become a Team Canada mainstay, although those don’t hurt. Armstrong is quick to point out his personality away from the rink.

While some players can be uncomfortable around team management, Duchene isn’t like that; he remains humble, approachable and easy to talk to.

“What we look for in players during this type of event is that the players’ personalities don’t change, and he’s one of those guys,” Armstrong says. “He’s someone who has a very good balance on and off the ice and he turns it up when necessary.”

Turning it up is something Duchene is confident he can do to help Canada defend its World Cup title and add one of the few missing pieces to his ever-growing trophy collection.

At the 2014 Olympics, Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock – who is back behind the bench at the World Cup – asked Duchene if he planned on sitting back and watching the game, or if he was going to play.

While it was said as a joke, Duchene got the message loud and clear.

“I was trying to avoid being the reason we lost instead of playing to be the reason we could win,” he remembers. “Once he said that to me, it helped to know that I could just go out there, be me, and play my game.”

This time around, Duchene is full of confidence and isn’t underestimating his abilities, and that can’t be good news for the rest of the hockey world.

Twelve years have passed since the last World Cup of Hockey.

Only six players from Canada’s tournament-winning roster remain active in the National Hockey League.

For two of them not much has changed.

The World Cup has returned to the hockey landscape, and Jay Bouwmeester and Joe Thornton have returned to Canada’s roster, ready to defend a title they helped win a dozen years ago.

“We were laughing the first day we got together because all of a sudden it was 12 years,” says Bouwmeester. “[Thornton’s] a few years older than I am – he’s the oldest and I’m the second oldest. Time flies. It’s pretty fun when you think about it – 12 years have gone by but it seems like it wasn’t that long ago. We were joking about that – all of a sudden we’re the old guys. That’s just the way it goes.”

“We’re the last standing guys,” says Thornton, laughing. “I was excited when Bouw got named. He was one of my good friends in 2004, so I was excited to get to experience it with him again. We’ve talked about it and we both have fond memories of back then.”

Back then Thornton was one of the up-and-coming young guns in the game, a 25-year-old top-line centre who within two years would win the Hart Memorial Trophy. In 2004, though, he embraced a different role. Thornton was employed on a checking line with Shane Doan and Kris Draper. Even in this new role, Thornton still thrived offensively, recording a goal and five assists, good for second in team scoring.

Bouwmeester was a late addition to this year’s roster, brought in as an injury replacement for Duncan Keith. It was the same story in 2004. Then, an injury forced Chris Pronger out and brought Bouwmeester in.

Although only 20 at the time – and the youngest member of the team – Bouwmeester came with years of international experience. By the time the World Cup rolled around he had played in three World Juniors and two IIHF World Championships.

“I started out as kind of an eighth defenceman [in 2004], then a couple of guys got hurt and I ended up getting a chance to play,” he says. “That’s exciting, when you get to play and you’re sort of a part of things.”

“I remember going to the Canada Cup in ’91 in Hamilton as a 12-year-old boy and I thought, if I could ever do this would be amazing,” says Thornton.

Plenty of highlights remain – “Obviously winning it was a pretty exciting time,” says Thornton – high among them meeting and competing with heroes like Mario Lemieux, Joe Sakic and Martin Brodeur.

Bouwmeester and Thornton are the elder statesmen now, if you will, but in a room full of leaders – 13 players presently wear letters with their NHL clubs – and those who’ve won in best-on-best tournaments themselves.

“Last time I was kind of more of a depth defenceman, probably much the same as this time,” says Bouwmeester. The approach has always been the same, he says: players come to camp and roles sort themselves out.

“This time around, it’s to be an energy guy, play on the power play a little bit, create some offence and get in there and use my big body. I think that’s what they expect from me,” says Thornton.

The game has gotten quicker and younger since 2004, but Thornton hasn’t lost a step. He was a point-per-game player last season, his 82 points (19 goals, 63 assists) tying him for fourth in the league in scoring. He racked up another 21 points over 24 games in a run to the Stanley Cup Final with his San Jose Sharks.

“It’s always a huge honour, especially me being 37; to play here with these guys is special, knowing I can be with these guys still, it’s pretty cool.”

What’s been the key to the longevity?

“I think health,” says Thornton. “I stay on top of my fitness. It’s just take care of your body and it’ll take care of you. I train really hard in the summertime, so I think that allows me to have success during the wintertime.”

Eliminating the red line opened the game up and put more emphasis on speed.

“If you watched those games [from 2004] and then the games in this tournament, there’d be a pretty noticeable difference,” says Bouwmeester, now 32. “But back then there were a lot of bigger guys that as a defenceman were harder to move and played a bit more physical game.”

Bouwmeester attributes his ongoing success to his skating.

“That’s been the key for me – just being able to still keep up. As you get older you learn a few tricks along the way.”

Twelve years ago an impending lockout injected excitement into the World Cup. This year it’s the inclusion of two non-national teams – Europe and North America – and the potential of the Canadians on the latter playing Canada at some point. (As a member of HC Davos during two NHL lockouts, Thornton twice played against Canada at the Spengler Cup. “It was definitely strange,” he says.)

But no matter the storyline at the start, Bouwmeester and Thornton just hope the narrative plays out the same.

O’Reilly, 25, was one of only three players to win back-to-back IIHF World Championship gold with Canada in 2015 and 2016. In addition to wearing the Maple Leaf at two other IIHF World Championships (2012, 2013) and the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championship, O’Reilly has won gold with Canada at the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament, and captained Ontario to a gold medal at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. O’Reilly will join Team Canada for Wednesday’s pre-tournament game against Russia in Pittsburgh.

“It’s never easy to lose a player to injury, let alone one of Tyler’s caliber, but once again, it speaks to the depth of talent in the country to be able to add a Ryan O’Reilly to our team,” said Doug Armstrong, general manager for Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey. “Ryan just won gold at worlds alongside a number of our players in that dressing room, so we’re expecting him to be able to gel quickly as we wrap up our pre-tournament against Russia. On behalf of our coaching and management staff, and all of the players, we want to welcome Ryan and wish Tyler a speedy recovery.”

Seguin played in back-to-back pre-tournament games against Team USA, garnering one assist in Saturday’s 5-2 victory for Canada. In addition to winning the Stanley Cup in his rookie year with the Boston Bruins in 2011, Seguin, 24, was on the 2015 IIHF World Championship-winning team, and helped Canada’s National Men’s Team win the 2012 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland. He also won a gold medal at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament, and was part of Ontario’s gold medal-winning team at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Team Canada meets Team Russia in its final pre-tournament game at 7:30 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh before heading to Toronto. Canada will face Team Czech Republic in its first World Cup of Hockey 2016 game on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ET at the Air Canada Centre.

World Cup of Hockey 2016 is a joint effort of the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association, in cooperation with the International Ice Hockey Federation. Eight teams — Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe, Team Finland, Team North America, Team Russia, Team Sweden and Team USA — will compete in the two-week tournament, featuring more than 170 of the best players in the NHL. All tournament games will be played at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

For more information on World Cup of Hockey 2016, visit WCH2016.com.

For more information on Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter, and at Twitter.com/HC_Men.

“All 23 players on our roster are leaders on their respective club teams,” said Doug Armstrong, general manager for Team Canada at World Cup of Hockey 2016. “These are three leaders who have demonstrated their ability to win at all levels, and we are looking to them to bring that experience, and their relentless pursuit of excellence, as we come together as a team.”

“Sid, Toews and Web are great men who have had unbelievable on-ice success,” said Mike Babcock, head coach of Team Canada at World Cup of Hockey 2016. “We look forward to them stepping up and leading our group as we work to achieve our ultimate goal at the World Cup.”

Crosby, 29, has won the Stanley Cup twice since becoming captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins prior to the 2007-08 season. In addition to his Olympic gold medal in 2014, Crosby captained Team Canada to gold at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, and was alternate captain of the golden 2010 Olympic team.

Toews, 28, was an alternate captain with Team Canada when he won his second IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal in 2007, on his way to two Olympic gold medals (2010, 2014) and three Stanley Cup championships since first donning the ‘C’ for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008-09.

The 31-year-old Weber has won gold for Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship and IIHF World Championship, and at two Olympic Winter Games. He tallied six seasons as captain of the Nashville Predators, and will wear the ‘A’ when he hits the ice with the Montreal Canadiens this season.

Team Canada assembles in Ottawa to begin training camp on Sept. 5.

World Cup of Hockey 2016 is a joint effort of the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association, in cooperation with the International Ice Hockey Federation. Eight teams — Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe, Team Finland, Team North America, Team Russia, Team Sweden and Team USA — will compete in the two-week tournament, featuring more than 170 of the best players in the NHL. All tournament games will be played at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

For more information on World Cup of Hockey 2016, visit WCH2016.com.

For more information on Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter, and at Twitter.com/HC_Men.

Bouwmeester, 32, was on the 2004 World Cup-winning squad, and has also won gold for Canada at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games and the 2003 and 2004 IIHF World Championships. Bouwmeester also played at three IIHF World Junior Championships (2000, 2001, 2002), bringing home two bronze medals and one silver.

“First and foremost, we want to wish Duncan the best in his continued rehabilitation, and welcome Jay to the team,” said Doug Armstrong, general manager for Team Canada. “Our management team and coaching staff felt it was critical to ensure continuity between the number of left- and right-handed defencemen on our roster, and Jay’s experience with what it takes to be successful in these short tournaments can’t be undervalued.”

A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Keith has won Olympic gold for Canada in both 2010 and 2014, and earned silver at the 2008 IIHF World Championship.

Team Canada assembles in Ottawa to begin training camp on Sept. 5.

The World Cup of Hockey, hosted by the NHL and NHLPA, runs Sept. 17 through Oct. 1, exclusively at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto and features players representing over 15 countries. Eight teams – Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Europe, Team Finland, Team North America, Team Russia, Team Sweden, and Team USA – will compete in the championship.

For more information on the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, visit WCH2016.com.

For more information on Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook and Twitter, and at Twitter.com/HC_Men.