Defenseman Ryan Ellis is on his way to join Team Canada at the world hockey championship.
Ellis and the Nashville Predators had their 2015-16 season come to an end in a disappointing Game 7 loss to the San Jose Sharks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Thursday.
“We had the opportunity to add one more experienced, puck-moving defenceman,” said Team Canada’s co-general manager George McPhee, as per the IIHF website. “Ryan is very familiar with these players and has had a lot of success with them internationally; he will be a great fit with this group.”
While Ellis is making the trip to Russia to join the Canadian contingent, his Nashville teammate and fellow blue liner Shea Weber will not be added to the roster.
Ryan Ellis will be joining Canada in Russia. Shea Weber needs rest and will not be making the trip. Official announcement on Ellis post gm.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 14, 2016
Canada crushed Slovakia by a final score of 5-0 on Saturday for a fifth consecutive win and a share of the lead atop the Group B standings alongside Finland with 15 points.