Canada goes with youth at hockey worlds
Last Updated: Sunday, April 23, 2006 | 3:45 PM ET
CBC Sports
Team Canada general manager Ken Holland told CBC Sports Sunday that he will wait until the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs are over to name the squad that will play at the May 5-21 tournament in Riga, Latvia.
Holland, who is also the GM of the Detroit Red Wings, confirmed that several players are already in: Pittsburgh rookie Sidney Crosby, Phoenix centre Mike Comrie, Columbus goalie Marc Denis, and Boston forwards Brad Boyes and Patrice Bergeron.
"We think we have some good young legs. I think it's going to be more of a younger team. We're trying to find some veteran leadership and hopefully we can find that at the conclusion of the first round," Holland said.
Sidney Crosby is just one of several young players who will represent Canada at the 2006 world hockey championship. (Associated Press)
Holland downplayed any chance of Vancouver forward Todd Bertuzzi playing for Canada.
"There's been no Olympians who have expressed an interest in going. They've had a long season with the Olympics jammed in," said Holland.
Holland did say he contacted the agent of Darcy Tucker and expects to hear back Monday from the Toronto forward about the possibility of suiting up for Canada.
Crosby, who was passed over by Canadian officials for the Torino Olympics, has an impressive international career at the junior level. He won a silver medal at the 2004 world championships before capturing gold with his fellow Canadian teammates the following year.
Canada earned the silver medal at last year's world championship after winning gold in 2003 and 2004.
Canada's first game at the tournament is May 5 against Denmark.
