Two Edmonton Oilers are heading to Switzerland to represent Canada at the World Hockey Championships. Defencemen Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse have been officially added to the national team roster for the 2026 IIHF World Hockey Championships, scheduled for May 15-31 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.
Bouchard Brings Offensive Firepower
Evan Bouchard enjoyed a Norris-quality regular season, leading all NHL defensemen in points with 21 goals and 74 assists for 95 points in 82 games. He also added a goal and six assists in Edmonton's abbreviated postseason. Bouchard is expected to add considerable punch to the Canadian attack and will have an opportunity to display his skills on a world stage, something denied him when he was left off the Canadian Olympic Team.
Nurse Seeks Redemption
For Darnell Nurse, a veteran of 798 NHL regular-season games and 100 postseason matches, Canada gains an experienced two-way defender. Nurse recorded 7 goals and 17 assists for 24 points in 82 regular-season games for the Oilers, but was pointless in six playoff games. For Nurse, the tournament represents a chance at redemption and an opportunity to breathe fresh air and truly enjoy the game—something he has not been able to do in Edmonton lately.
National Pride
Whatever one's view of either player, it is something to appreciate and admire when a player agrees to represent his country on the world stage. Bouchard last represented Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, while Nurse's last international turn with the Maple Leaf on his chest was at the 2019 World Championships, where Canada won a silver medal.
Two other Oilers who would have been locks for this squad, Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman, are staying home after battling injuries in the playoffs. Canada has not medaled at the World Championships in three years.
More details to come as the tournament approaches.
