Ekblad Named To Team Canada

Kristylee Varley

AM800-NEWS-SPORTS-AARON-EKBLAD-GETTY-1.3746880 SUNRISE, FL - OCTOBER 28: Aaron Ekblad #5 of the Florida Panthers prepares for a face-off against the Detroit Red Wings at the BB&T Center on October 28, 2017 in Sunrise, Florida. The Red Wings defeated the Panthers 3-2 in a shoot out. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) (Joel Auerbach/Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers prepares for a face-off against the Detroit Red Wings at the BB&T Center on October 28, 2017 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images))

Canada opens the 2018 IIHF World Championship on Friday, May 4, against the United States

Hockey Canada has named the first 18 players to the Team Canada roster for the IIHF World Championship next month in Denmark.

Among the players is Belle River native, Aaron Ekblad.

Canada opens the 2018 IIHF World Championship on Friday, May 4, against the United States in Herning, Denmark.

Preliminary-round games wrap up on May 15 and during that time, Canada will also face off against the host Danes, Finland, Germany, South Korea, Latvia, and Norway.

The bronze and gold-medal games will take place on Sunday, May 20.

Among the coaching staff is Windsor native, Bob Boughner.

— with files from TSN