Boston Bruins' forward Matthew Poitras handles the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. Team Canada is adding a big piece to its roster for the upcoming world junior hockey championship. Poitras is joining Canada's world junior team as it looks to defend its gold medal in Gothenburg, Sweden.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Jay LaPrete
Canada is adding a big piece to its roster for the upcoming world junior hockey championship.
Boston Bruins forward Matthew Poitras is joining Canada’s team as it looks to defend its gold medal in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Canada had decided against selecting a 13th forward when the roster was announced in hopes an NHL team would release a player for the tournament, which runs Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
Poitras has five goals and eight assists through 27 games with the Bruins this season. The five-foot-11, 180-pound forward ranks tied for 10th in rookie scoring.
The 19-year-old from Ajax, Ont., had 16 goals and 79 assists in 63 games for the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm last season. The Bruins selected him 54th overall in the 2022 draft.
Poitras will report to Canada on Tuesday in Sweden ahead of exhibition play.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 18, 2023.
