Team Canada has added Pierre-Luc Dubois, Nick Paul and Brandon Hagel to its roster for the World Hockey Championship after the three players saw their team eliminated in the first round of the NHL playoffs, reports Darren Dreger, insider at TSN network.
Macklin Celebrini and Adam Fantilli return to the country after being named to Canada’s initial roster for the tournament. Dreger said Celebrini and Fantilli initially accepted their invitation knowing they might not have a place on the roster if more experienced players were available. Both players were given the choice of staying in Prague or returning home.
Celebrini is the heavy favorite to be selected first in June’s NHL draft. The identity of his future team to be decided tonight during the draft lottery.
Fantilli was drafted third overall in 2023 and has 12 goals and 27 points in 49 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets this season.
Dubois had 16 goals and 40 points in 82 games during his first season with the Los Angeles Kings this year. He scored one goal in five playoff games, as the Kings were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers.
Both Hagel and Paul saw their seasons end when the Florida Panthers eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games. Hagel has scored 26 goals and 75 points in 82 games this season. Paul, for his part, amassed 24 goals and 46 points in 82 games.
The World Championship begins on May 10. All of Canada’s matches will be presented on RDS platforms.
