That Ryan Getzlaf made Team Canada’s inaugural 16-man roster for this year’s World Cup of Hockey wasn’t much of a surprise.
That his running mate in Anaheim, Corey Perry, failed to crack the roster did come as a surprise.
Especially to Getzlaf.
“It’s one of those things that I wasn’t even sure I was going to be picked,” the Ducks captain said, per the Los Angeles Times. “We went into that day with a different outlook than normal, I think, when you’re talking about the talent coming and the fact they’re naming only 16 players.
“I have no doubt that Pears will end up on the team, and I’m sure it’s going to fuel him the rest of the way.”
Perry was one of the most prominent forwards omitted. While there was no denying the 10 named deserved to be there -- Getzlaf, Jamie Benn, Patrice, Bergeron, Jeff Carter, Sidney Crosby, Tyler Seguin, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares, Jonathan Toews -- there were some very talented forwards left off the list, like Brad Marchand, Taylor Hall, Claude Giroux and Matt Duchene.
And of course, Perry.
The 30-year-old has been nothing but golden for Canada throughout his international career. He helped his country win the 2005 World Juniors, the ’10 Olympics in Vancouver and the ’14 Olympics in Sochi -- a resume that, you’d think, would have him in line for a spot this September in Toronto.
But it’s not that clear cut.
Perry is having a bit of a down year. He’s on pace for his lowest point total in five seasons, though most of that was a result of his (and Anaheim’s) horrific start to the year.
Of course, he’s rebounded. Perry currently leads the Ducks in goals, with 28, a total that ties him with Crosby, Bergeron and Duchene for fifth-most among Canadian forwards.