Team Canada announced on Wednesday that St. Louis Blues defenseman,
Jay Bouwmeester has been added to the roster of the 2016 World Cup team.
Bouwmeester replaces Chicago Blackhawks defenseman, Duncan
Keith on the 23-man roster. Keith will miss the tournament so that he may give
his knee time to heal.
Bouwmeester, 32, will begin his 14th season in
the NHL this fall. During the 2015-2016 campaign, he scored three goals and 16
assists in 72 games. He was second on the Blues in ice time per game, with an
average of 23:06.
In the Blues 20 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he was able to
put up four assists as he helped lead the Blues to the Western Conference
Finals, before falling to San Jose Sharks. In 990 career National Hockey League
games, between the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames and Blues he has scored 81
goals and 295 assists.
In 2004, he helped Team Canada win the World Cup of Hockey
and then 10 years later, he led Canada to the gold at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
Keith, 33, put up nine goals and 34 assists in 67 games this
past season. In the Blackhawks six Stanley Cup Playoff games he added, three
goals and two assists.
Keith has helped Chicago capture the Stanley Cup three times
within the last six seasons (2010, 2013 & 2015). He also helped lead Canada
to a gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2014 games in Sochi.
Keith won the Norris Trophy, for top defenseman in the NHL in
2010 and in 2014.
Blackhawks lead physician, Dr. Michael Terry said, “As Duncan continues offseason rehabilitation on the right knee injury
that he sustained last season, we understand his decision not to participate in
next month’s World Cup of Hockey. We believe it is in his best interest to
focus on getting stronger and not risk further injury.”
Bouwmeester is the second player within the last two days to
be added to Team Canada’s roster. On Tuesday, Logan Couture, of the San Jose
Sharks, replaced Dallas Stars forward, Jamie Benn.
No comments:
Post a Comment