Team Canada General manager Mark Messier could be icing a very young team at the upcoming IIHF World Hockey championship in Germany.
The St. Petersburg Times is reporting that Lightning forward Martin St. Louis has declined an invitation to play for Canada at the Worlds, however sniper Steven Stamkos and agitator Steve Downie could be joining the team.
The Times is reporting that Messier was in Tampa for this past Friday's Lightning game with the New York Rangers.
While nothing has been finalized, Stamkos, who enters play on Monday tied for second in the NHL with 46 goals was open to playing for Canada for the second straight year.
"I'd like to head over and bring home a gold," Stamkos told the Times.
Downie, who is enjoying a breakout campaign of his own with 22 goals and 24 assists in 76 games stated that he was also interested.
"I'd like to play," Downie said to the Times.
Canada will be looking for their first gold medal at the World Hockey Championship in three years after losing to Russia in the final of the past two tournaments. Canada, who will play in Group B, open their tournament against Italy on May 8th. Messier has named Craig MacTavish as the team's head coach.
