Team Canada has announced their official roster for the 2023 World Championships in Finland/Latvia, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Justin Barron, as well as goaltender Samuel Montembeault will be representing their country at the tournament.
2⃣0⃣ players have been selected to wear the 🍁 at #IIHFWorlds.
2⃣0⃣ joueurs ont été choisis pour porter la 🍁 au #MondialIIHF.
ROSTER ➡️ https://t.co/SSdXQtwf1N
FORMATION ➡️ https://t.co/vp9VBvfXXd pic.twitter.com/Uh5ytKfatd— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) May 5, 2023
Montembeault will have some stiff comptetition in the form of Devon Levi in nets, but it is a nice feather in his cap to get on the roster. Even in a difficult season for the Canadiens, Montembeault had one of the best years of his career, and gets rewarded with some national team play as a result.
Barron, for his part, showed a lot of improvement throughout the year, and his puck moving abilities make him an intriguing add for Canada. On a blue line that appears to be equal parts puck-moving and truculent, he should fit right in.
Elsewhere, draft prospect Adam Fantilli, who would certainly be of interest to the Habs depending on how the lottery shakes out this coming monday, is among the forward group. The tournament will feature a number of young prospects looking to make a final impression on the world stage before the draft, so it should be an interesting one to keep an eye on.
