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 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."