Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares told reporters on Thursday that he intends to play for Canada at the World Hockey Championship beginning in May.
Tavares, 35, is coming off a productive season with the Maple Leafs, posting 31 goals and 71 points while appearing all 82 games for first time since 2018-19. His individual success, however, was not enough to help the Maple Leafs, who saw their nine-year playoff streak come to an end.
John Tavares says he intends to play for Team Canada at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 16, 2026
The World Championships are slated to begin on May 15 in Switzerland with Canada as part of Group B along with Sweden, Czechia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, and Italy.
Canada is also slated to begin their tournament against Sweden on May. 15.
Tavares is well decorated at the international level for Canada, representing his country six times at the senior level. He helped Canada to a gold medal at The Winter Olympics in 2014 and at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto.
The Mississauga, Ont., native is looking for his first medal at the World Hockey Championships, despite four appearances. He last helped Canada to a fourth-place finish in 2024, recording two goals and 11 points.
Tavares is also a two-time gold medal winner at the World Juniors, helping Canada to spot in back-to-back years in 2008 and 2009. He was named the tournament MVP and best forward in the 2009 tournament after recording eight goals and 15 points in six games.
Rielly expresses interest
Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly also expressed interest in playing for Canada at the World Hockey Championships.
Rielly, 32, posted 11 goals and 36 points in 78 games this season while averaging 21:08 of ice time.
The 6-foot-1, left-shot defenceman played his entire 13-season career in Toronto and is only missing the playoffs for the fourth time.
Canada’s management team has a Maple Leaf flair with two former Maple Leaf general managers Brad Treliving and Kyle Dubas involved with selecting the team as well as former Maple Leaf player and executive Jason Spezza.
Rielly represented Canada twice at the World Hockey Championships, taking gold in 2016. He recorded a goal and three points in that tournament and was named as a tournament all-star.
The Vancouver native also represented Canada at the 2013 World Juniors in a fourth-place finish and played for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
