Claude Giroux healthy, ready for World Cup

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux said he is healed from surgery to repair right hip and abdominal injuries, and is ready to play for Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey 2016.
"I feel 100 percent," Giroux said Wednesday, when he modeled the Flyers' 50th anniversary jersey. "It's been a long road. But I was in good hands with the trainers in Philly and also a lot of help in Ottawa. Just trying to build a little group to be able to get better. Right now I feel really good.

"I don't feel like I have a 60-year-old hip anymore. That's pretty exciting."

Giroux had surgery May 17. He was expected to need 10-12 weeks to recover but was on the ice for the first time on July 21, nine weeks and one day after his procedure.
Last season, he led the Flyers with 67 points (22 goals, 45 assists) in 78 regular-season games but had one point in six Stanley Cup Playoff games in a loss to the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference First Round.
Giroux wouldn't say when the injuries started affecting his play.
"Hard to say," he said. "I think a lot of players have that kind of issue. I don't like to look back at it. It's done. Just looking forward."
Part of Giroux's push to return to action was to be available for Canada's World Cup training camp, which will be held at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa beginning Monday.

"I went to rehab straight almost to getting ready for the season, really heavy," Giroux said. "It's definitely a challenge. It's different than what we've been doing [in years past]. Feel pretty confident everyone will be in good shape."
The World Cup will be held Sept. 17 to Oct. 1, with all games at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Games will be broadcast on ESPN in the United States, and Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.
Giroux said he relishes Team Canada's role as a perceived favorite.
"It's a special tournament," Giroux said. "… For us it's very important for us to win the tournament. [Second place] isn't a question for us. It's important that we go in there with the mentality that we want to win. We know it's not going to be easy. Lot of good teams there. It'll be a hard challenge, but a fun one too.

"When you grow up in Canada it's very special to us, hockey. That's basically all we know, hockey. That's pretty special to be representing the country. Every player that's going into the tournament, whatever role they give us, we're going to take it and be the best at it."
Of the 13 forwards on Team Canada's roster, 12 are natural centers, including the right-shooting Giroux. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks) and Patrice Bergeron (Boston Bruins) could center the top three lines, meaning a shift to the wing is possible for Giroux.
"I don't even know the lines or anything that's going to happen," Giroux said. "And in a tournament the lines can change a lot and whoever plays with who. We've got to go in there with an open mind about where we're going to play. And when we know what kind of role we're going to have, it's going to be important to focus on it."