Canada roster for 4 Nations Face-Off includes 3 Lightning forwards

Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel, each of the Tampa Bay Lightning, were among the 17 players named to the Team Canada roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off that was announced Wednesday.

Jon Cooper, the coach of the Lightning, is Team Canada coach.

The best-on-best tournament featuring teams consisting of NHL players from Finland, Sweden, Canada and the United States, will be held from Feb. 12-20, with games at Bell Centre in Montreal on Feb. 12-15 and at TD Garden in Boston from Feb. 17-20.

Point, Cirelli and Hagel are part of a loaded set of forwards that also features Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche.

"It’s an exciting group to be a part of," McDavid said. "I'm extremely proud and honoured to be a part of that group and represent my country. That being said, no [Zach Hyman], no [Evan Bouchard]. I think it speaks to the talent there is across the country in this game. It's a tough team to make and it speaks to some of the great players that are across Canada."

MacKinnon is one of three forwards from Nova Scotia on the roster, joined by Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

"It's great that we're getting closer. It's something that we're all very excited about," Marchand said. "Obviously right now we have to focus on the job and task at hand, but as we get closer, the excitement will definitely ramp up. It will be an incredible tournament to be part of. Going through with guys from back home will be even more special. Anytime you get to put the Canadian jersey on and be part of something like that, it truly is a massive honor."

McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby, Marchand and Point were the initial five forwards named to the team in June, along with defenseman Cale Makar.

Joining those five forwards in addition to Cirelli, Hagel and Reinhart are Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, Seth Jarvis of the Carolina Hurricanes, Travis Konecny of the Philadelphia Flyers, Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights.

"It's going to be crazy. All four teams are stacked,” Marner said. “It's going to be a great tournament for a lot of people to watch and I'm sure excited and super honored that I get the privilege to do that."

Makar will be joined on defense by Avalanche teammate Devon Toews, Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets, Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore of the Golden Knights, Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues and Travis Sanheim of the Flyers.

“I was very caught off guard," Konecny said. "I knew for a little bit there had been some speculation that I might be on it, and I never really paid any attention to it because I really didn’t think that there was really that much of a chance.

"But for me and 'Sanny' to both make it, it’s such an awesome experience that we get to do together. Playing for your country at any point is something special that you don’t take for granted, so I look forward to it.”

The three goalies named to Canada's roster were Jordan Binnington of the Blues, Sam Montembeault, the only selection from the Montreal Canadiens on the team, and Adin Hill giving the Golden Knights four players on the roster.

“This is an exciting time for the NHL and international hockey, and we know our players are excited and grateful for the opportunity to play for Canada and take on the top players from the participating countries,” Cooper said. “This event is an important part of the process as we continue to build teams that can be successful on the international stage, and we look forward to our group gathering in February and competing for a championship in Montreal and Boston.”

Sweden and Finland announced their rosters Wednesday afternoon, while the U.S. also announced its roster later Wednesday.

Each of the four countries in the 4 Nations Face-Off will have a 23-man roster that includes 13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goalies.

Canada opens the tournament against Sweden on Feb. 12 at Bell Centre in Montreal (8 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS).

Here is Team Canada's roster (listed alphabetically by position). Players marked with an asterisk were selected in June.

Forwards (13)

Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers
Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins*
Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning
Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes
Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche*
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins*
Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers*
Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning*
Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers
Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights

Defensemen (7)

Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche*
Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets
Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues
Alex Pietrangelo, Vegas Golden Knights
Travis Sanheim, Philadelphia Flyers
Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights
Devon Toews, Colorado Avalanche

Goalies (3)

Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues
Adin Hill, Vegas Golden Knights
Sam Montembeault, Montreal Canadiens