John Tavares makes exciting announcement after first round exit

Hockey Canada has announced that Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares will be joining the team for the IIHF World Championships.

Following another Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Boston Bruins, and cleaning out his locker, Tavares has decided to join Team Canada for the IIHF World Hockey Championship being played in Czechia.

This is Tavares' fourth time representing Canada at the tournament and first time since 2012. While decorated with gold medals representing Canada, Tavares has yet to win a World Championship gold as Canada finished seventh, fifth and fifth in the three times Tavares played in the tournament.

He provides a veteran presence for a club that includes youngsters Connor Bedard, Ridly Greig, Dylan Guenther and Dylan Cozens up front. Tavares joins a team that is looking to successfully defend its championship from last year and look to repeat as champions for the first time since the 2015 and 2016 tournaments.


While Tavares joins Team Canada, another Leaf turned down the invitation to join his country. William Nylander, who hinted at declining the invitation during Monday's end-of-season media availability, will officially not be joining Team Sweden. His decision not to join is likely due to the migraine issues he was dealing with throughout the first-round series against the Boston Bruins.

Although Nylander declined the invitation, it seemingly opened a roster spot for another Leaf as Pontus Holmberg will be joining Team Sweden.