OTTAWA – Canadian Interuniversity Sport announced Wednesday two rosters changes to the OUA all-star team that will represent Canada in men’s ice hockey at the 24th Winter Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey, from Jan. 27 to Feb. 6.
Originally selected to the red and white squad back in December, forwards Aaron Snow of Western Ontario and Francis Verreault-Paul of McGill both had to withdraw due to injuries. Taking their place in the lineup are forwards Matthieu Methot of Ottawa and Ryan Berard of Carleton.
Methot, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior from Ottawa, is enjoying a spectacular campaign with the Gee-Gees. The former Ottawa 67’s ranks fifth in OUA scoring and seventh in the country with 35 points (14-21-35) in 21 conference games. He joins U of Ottawa teammate, defenseman Dominic Jalbert, on the Universiade team.
Berard, a native of Niagara Falls, Ont., has also put up solid offensive numbers for the Ravens this season with 26 points (6-20-26) in 20 OUA contests. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior, who played with four OHL teams including Sarnia and Barrie in his final major junior campaign, joins Carleton teammate, forward Brandon MacLean, on the Canadian roster.
Canada goes into the World University Games tournament as reigning silver medallist after dropping a 4-2 decision to archrival Russia at the 2009 final in Harbin, China. Two years before in Turin, Italy, Canada defeated the Russians 3-1 in the gold medal match to capture their third-ever Universiade title, following triumphs in 1991 (Sapporo, Japan) and in 1981 (Jaca, Spain).
The Canadians are set to kick off the tourney against Slovenia on Jan. 27. The gold-medal final is scheduled for 3 p.m. local time on Feb. 6.
Team Canada website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/universiade/winter
(Source: Michel Belanger, CIS Media Officer)
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