Sky Larkin https://t.co/kSVM1BVJOG pic.twitter.com/YPrungptFo
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) September 4, 2016
Super sophomore Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings told MLive.com that he is geeked about playing for Team North America at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.
The composition is Team North America is truly unique in that the final roster consists of some of the best 23-year old-and-under United States and Canada-born players.
Never before has such a collaborative North American Team played in an international hockey tournament.
Just look at this roster of players. The amount of talent on this squad is sick.
Forwards:Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers; Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning; Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres; Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames; Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings; Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche; Auston Matthews, Zurich (SUI); Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers; J.T. Miller, New York Rangers; Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers; Brandon Saad, Columbus Blue Jackets; Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets
Defense:
Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers; Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers; Seth Jones, Columbus Blue Jackets; Ryan Murray, Columbus Blue Jackets; Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues; Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs; Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets
Goalies:
John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks; Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets; Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins
What's not to love about the Young Guns team?
They are big, brash tough, fast, grotesquely skilled and they also have the most badass sweater in this tourney.
I truly believe that Team North America has a legitimate shot to win this tourney. It won't be easy, however, if they get solid goaltending and timely goal scoring, anything can happen in a short hockey tournament.
Team North America training camp begins officially on Labor Day in Montreal.
Players and coaches will have media availability in Montreal later today.
The tournament runs from September 17-October 1 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
tourney This is the third World Cup. Team USA prevailed in 1996 and Canada won in 2004.
The unique format for Team North American will allow youngsters who would not normally qualify for Team USA and Team Canada to compete head to head with veteran NHLers.
Dylan Larkin isn't the least bit intimidated by the opportunity.
"It's cool how players from Canada and the U.S. come together," Larkin said. "It's going to be a bit of a feeling-out process, lot of players from different teams, but I think it'll go well and we'll be an exciting team to watch."
Team North America won't be a push over in this tourney.
"Talking to other players in the tournament, they know we're going to be pretty good," Larkin said. "We're just excited to get together and play games."
Larkin and his Team North America teammates have stepped up the skating in their individual summer routines. Because the game is being played in Canada, the ice surface will be the NHL template 200 by 85 rather than the 200 by 100 sheet that is the standard in Europe.
"I've been skating for a while, definitely getting more intense, getting more excited about it," Larkin said. "The message from the (North America) coaches is we're excited to get in there. I don't think we're going to shock any teams, but we're definitely going to play our best. Teams know the kind of players we have. We hope to win the whole thing."
Even tough he is only 20 years old, Larkin has already amassed an impressive international hockey resume. Larkin has played for Team USA at the 2016 and 2015 IIHF World Championships and at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships.
Larkin is licking his chops to play alongside his USNDT buddy Jack Eichel. He also can't wait to introduce himself to Connor McDavid and the galaxy of young stars.
"I'm excited to play with Jack (Eichel) again," Larkin said. "Connor Hellebuyck and I grew up playing in the same rink at Lakeland. Jacob Trouba, I grew up hearing about how good of a player he is; I know how good of a player he is now. (Connor) McDavid as well. I think you look at any forward and they're all special in their own way, so I'm excited to play on different lines and learn from those guys."