New York Rangers goalie Chad Johnson has been named to Team Canada for the IIHF world championship in Germany. (Matt York/Associated Press)Mark Messier has found another goaltender ahead of the IIHF World Hockey Championship, adding Chad Johnson to the Canadian roster on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Johnson is coming off his first season of professional hockey — split between the New York Rangers and AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack — and will likely serve as a backup to Chris Mason.
Goaltending has been a tough position for Messier, the Canadian general manager, to fill. He still has the option of adding another goalie while the tournament is in progress.
Forwards Ryan Smyth of the Los Angeles Kings and Washington's Brooks Laich were the two biggest names added on Saturday. New York Rangers defenceman Michael del Zotto and Buffalo's Tyler Myers were also named to the team.
Messier has also added Colorado Avalanche defenceman Kyle Cumiskey, and forward Matt Duchesne to bring the total number of players to 22 — 12 forwards, eight defencemen and two goalies. Forward Jordan Eberle is with the team as an alternate.
Canada plays an exhibition game on Tuesday and opens the tournament against Italy on May 8 in Mannheim, Germany.
