Bouwmeester replaces Keith on Canada's World Cup roster
Canada had to make another amendment to its World Cup of Hockey roster Wednesday, replacing Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith with Jay Bouwmeester of the St. Louis Blues.
Keith is continuing to recover from a knee injury suffered last season.
"We believe it is in his best interests to focus on getting stronger and not risk further injury." the Blackhawks announced via press release.
Bouwmeester, who most importantly meets the left-shot void left by Keith, has a decorated history with the Canadian national team. He won an Olympic gold medal in Sochi, owns three World Championship medals, played for the world junior team three times, and represented Canada at the last World Cup in 2004.
"Our management team and coaching staff felt it was critical to ensure continuity between the number of left- and right-handed defensemen on our roster," Blues and Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong said via press release.
"And Jay's experience with what it takes to be successful in these short tournaments can’t be undervalued."
P.K. Subban, Kris Letang, and fellow left-shot defender Mark Giordano are a few of the elite blue-liners not included on the 23-man roster.