John Tavares set a career high with 47 goals and added 41 assists for the Maple Leafs this season.Claus Andersen/Getty Images
Toronto Maple Leafs centre John Tavares, Ottawa Senators defenceman Thomas Chabot and Vegas Golden Knights winger Mark Stone highlight Canada’s roster for the 2019 world hockey championship.
Hockey Canada released the 22-player roster on Monday.
Tavares set a career high with 47 goals and added 41 assists for the Maple Leafs this season, while Stone had 33 goals and 40 assists in the regular season with Ottawa and Vegas and added 12 points in the Golden Knights’ seven-game first-round playoff loss to San Jose.
They will be tasked with providing much of the offence on a forward group that has plenty of NHL experience but lacks star power, although Philadelphia centre Sean Couturier, who had 33 points and 43 assists for the Flyers this season, should give Canada a capable one-two punch at centre with Tavares.
Chabot is coming off a breakout sophomore season with the Senators that saw him put up 14 goals and 41 assists. Vegas defenceman Shea Theodore and Edmonton rearguard Darnell Nurse should provide additional offensive support form the blueline.
Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, will likely lead Canada’s goaltending contingent. Carter Hart, coming off an impressive rookie campaign with the Philadelphia Flyers, and New Jersey’s Mackenzie Blackwood are the other netminders.
Canada opens its quest for its 27th world championship gold medal – and first since 2016 – on May 10 against Finland at Steel Arena in Kosice, Slovakia.