BOSTON — Team Canada has the toughest hockey roster to crack at any level, but Bruins center Patrice Bergeron was a no-brainer selection for the two-time defending Olympic champion’s preliminary 2016 World Cup of Hockey roster.
Bergeron was among the first 16 players selected Thursday for September’s tournament.
“It’s something very special. It’s a huge honor again,” Bergeron said. “I’m very happy and very proud to be part of this team. I can’t say enough about all the experiences I’ve had with Team Canada over the years.”
Bergeron has been an important member of Team Canada for a while.
He tallied 13 points in six games at the 2005 World Junior Championships, where he also won tournament MVP. That Canada roster is considered one of the best of all time, given the abundance of future NHL superstars it featured.
He made the 2010 Olympic roster as well, primarily being used in defensive and faceoff roles en route to the gold medal. In 2014, Bergeron was a much more integral part of Canada’s gold-medal campaign, even playing as a winger on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby at times.
Here’s Bergeron’s full international record. He’s also one of seven active members of the Triple Gold Club (World Junior gold, Olympic gold, Stanley Cup).
2004 World Championships: Gold
2005 World Junior Championships: Gold
2006 World Championships: no medal
2010 Winter Olympics: gold
2012 Spengler Cup: gold
2014 Winter Olympics: gold
Canada’s full 23-man roster for the World Cup must be completed by June 1, which leaves seven more spots for Hockey Canada management to fill. One player who should get a look is Bergeron’s linemate, Brad Marchand, who’s having a career season with 48 points in 59 games, including a career-high 32 goals.
“It’d be great (if Marchand made it),” Bergeron said. “I think he’s proven himself over the years, especially this year, with how good he is and how competitive he is every game and how he always makes something happen every time he steps on the ice.
“Right now he’s on pace — getting close to 40 (goals). He’s been very impressive this year and has been a huge part of helping me be a good player every night.”
Either way, Team Canada will be favored to win the tournament, and one of the major reasons why is Bergeron’s presence as a two-way forward.
TEAM CANADA 2016 WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY ROSTER
Goaltenders: Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens), Corey Crawford (Chicago Blackhawks), Braden Holtby (Washington Capitals)
Defensemen: Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks), Shea Weber (Nashville Predators), Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (San Jose Sharks)
Forwards: Patrice Bergeron (Boston Bruins),Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Jamie Benn (Dallas Stars), Jeff Carter (Los Angeles Kings), Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks), Tyler Seguin (Dallas Stars), Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning), John Tavares (New York Islanders)
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
