By @MichaelCaples –
Good news, hockey fans – professional hockey will start a month earlier than usual, and it will be the best in the world competing.
The rosters have been finalized for the upcoming 2016 World Cup of Hockey, and there are plenty of Michigan names and Red Wings players slated to participate.
The tournament, which will run from Sept. 17 through Oct. 1 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, will be broadcasted by ESPN and its family of networks, allowing hockey fans to watch Olympics-worthy hockey this September.
Here is a look at the final rosters:
Team USA
Justin Abdelkader – Detroit Red Wings – Muskegon native, Michigan State alum
Ryan Kesler – Anaheim Ducks – Livonia native
Jack Johnson – Columbus Blue Jackets – Ann Arbor native, University of Michigan alum
Max Pacioretty – Montreal Canadiens – University of Michigan alum
Team North America (23-and-under players)
Dylan Larkin – Detroit Red Wings – Waterford native, University of Michigan alum
Connor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg Jets – Commerce native
Jacob Trouba – Winnipeg Jets – Rochester native
Brandon Saad – Columbus Blue Jackets – Saginaw Spirit alum
J.T. Miller – New York Rangers – Plymouth Whalers alum
Team Sweden
Henrik Zetterberg – Detroit Red Wings
Niklas Kronwall – Detroit Red Wings
Carl Hagelin – Pittsburgh Penguins – University of Michigan alum
Team Russia
Pavel Datsyuk – Detroit Red Wings
Alexey Marchenko – Detroit Red Wings
Team Czech Republic
Petr Mrazek – Detroit Red Wings
Michal Jordan – Carolina Hurricanes – Plymouth Whalers alum
Team Canada
Duncan Keith – Chicago Blackhawks – Michigan State alum
Tyler Seguin – Dallas Stars – Plymouth Whalers alum
Team Europe (European countries excluding Finland, Russia, Sweden and the Czech Republic)
Tomas Tatar – Detroit Red Wings