McDavid, Eichel highlight North America's initial World Cup roster

Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel will team up to lead Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

The first two picks in the 2015 draft were among the 16 players named to the initial roster for the under-23 team from the western hemisphere.

Forwards

McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Eichel, Buffalo Sabres
Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames
J.T. Miller, New York Rangers
Brandon Saad, Columbus Blue Jackets
Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers

Defensemen

Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs
Seth Jones, Columbus Blue Jackets
Ryan Murray, Columbus Blue Jackets

Goaltenders

John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks
Connor Hellebuyck, Manitoba Moose (AHL)
Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins

Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, Montreal Canadiens center Alex Galchenyuk, and Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins certainly could have been named to the initial roster, and may still be named to the final edition before the June 1 deadline.

Team North America will be led by Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli, Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman - in the associate GM role - and Edmonton head coach Todd McLellan.