Team Canada head coach Ken Hitchcock will see some familiar faces when he steps behind the bench for the World Hockey Championship next month.
Rick Nash, Pascal Leclaire and Jason Chimera of the Columbus Blue Jackets were among the first 15 players to answer the call to join Team Canada Tuesday. The team announced two goaltenders, three defencemen and 10 forwards.
''We are very pleased with the leadership and wealth of international experience that the players named today possess,'' said Team Canada general manager Steve Yzerman. ''We feel that we have a very strong core group of players named today, and we look to supplement our roster over the next few weeks as we monitor the NHL playoff situation.''
The Carolina Hurricanes are well represented with forward Eric Staal, Ray Whitney along with goaltender Cam Ward making the trip to Halifax and Quebec City.
The Chicago Blackhawks also have three members on the team with forwards Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp as well as defenceman Duncan Keith.
Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers and Steve Staios of the Edmonton Oilers are the other two defenceman named to the team thus far.
Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes, Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jamal Mayers of the St. Louis Blues and Derek Roy of the Buffalo Sabres make up the rest of the forward contingent.
Canada opens the tournament against Slovenia in Halifax on May 2.