CALGARY, Alta. – Hockey Canada and its World Cup of Hockey management group have named forward Logan Couture (London, Ont./San Jose, NHL) to Team Canada, as a replacement for Jamie Benn (Victoria, B.C./Dallas, NHL), who is unable to participate in next month’s tournament.
Couture, 27, led the NHL in playoff assists and points last season, and last donned the Maple Leaf at the 2007 IIHF World U18 Championship.
“We are excited to add Logan to Team Canada. He has developed into a top player in the NHL, and his versatility will benefit our group of forwards. In making this decision the management group consulted with our coaching staff and determined that Logan was the best fit to help fill the role that Jamie was projected to play on Team Canada,” said Doug Armstrong, general manager for Team Canada. “We want to thank Jamie for his dedication to an extensive rehab program in an attempt to play for Canada. Unfortunately, Jamie will not be available and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
Benn was among the first 16 players selected to Canada’s World Cup of Hockey roster in March 2016, and has been recovering from surgery to repair a core muscle injury, the Stars announced in July. Benn has previously won gold for Canada at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, and 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
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 more than 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.