Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane was named to Team USA’s initial roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, it was announced Wednesday on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Kane, 26, leads the league in points (85) and is second in goals (36) and assists (49) this season.
Kane has represented Team USA on the podium three times. He debuted at the 2006 U18 World Championship, where he led the tournament with 12 points and won gold. The Buffalo native moved up to the USA U20 team the next year and earned bronze and all-star tournament honors.
A lack luster fifth-place finish at the 2008 WC was forgotten when he scored three goals and two assists in six games for a silver medal finish at the 2010 Olympic Games. Four years later in Sochi, Kane missed two penalty shots in the bronze medal game against Finland.
Team USA roster. pic.twitter.com/A04bkvKf2Y
— Scott Burnside (@ESPN_Burnside) March 2, 2016
Check out the USA #WCOH2016 home and away jersey.
Learn about the team roster here: https://t.co/dhERLcbZge pic.twitter.com/yjnQ9IpwfE— adidas (@adidasUS) March 2, 2016
Nine total Blackhawks were named to initial team rosters.
This year’s World Cup of Hockey, which represents the event’s return after a hiatus, is set for September and will be held in Toronto. The format is slightly modified from the past World Cup tournaments, with six national teams and two special “all-star teams” participating.
The eight teams that will compete this year are the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Russia and the Czech Republic, plus Team Europe and Under-23 Team North America.