Report: Staal named to Canada's Olympic team

Eric Staal appears to be heading back to the Olympic Games.

The veteran center is among the players selected to the final roster for Canada's men's hockey team in Beijing, reports The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. Fellow forwards Daniel Carr, Adam Cracknell, David Desharnais, Landon Ferraro, Kent Johnson, and Daniel Winnik are also on the squad, as are defensemen Mark Barberio, Jason Demers, and Owen Power.

Staal signed a pro tryout contract with the AHL's Iowa Wild on Jan. 13. The 37-year-old planned to evaluate his physical conditioning during the stint in hopes of playing in the Olympics. He told The Athletic's Michael Russo at the time that there were still some complications outside of hockey, so his participation wasn't guaranteed. Staal has two goals and three assists in four games since joining Minnesota's affiliate.

The former Carolina Hurricanes captain hasn't played in the NHL this season after helping the Montreal Canadiens reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.

Staal was a member of Canada's gold-medal-winning side at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. He's also represented his country at three world championships, winning gold in 2007 and silver one year later.

Power, the Buffalo Sabres' No. 1 overall pick in 2021, was reportedly named to the 2022 team in early January. He and Johnson, his Michigan teammate who was drafted four picks later, excelled for Canada at the most recent World Junior Championship before the remainder of the event was canceled.

NHL players aren't participating in the Games this year due to COVID-19 concerns.