MONTREAL -- Star forward Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters and six other players from last year's tournament headed a group of 29 invited to Canada's camp for the world junior championship.
Goalie Zach Fucale, defencemen Chris Bigras and Josh Morrissey and forwards Frederik Gauthier, Nic Petan and San Reinhart were also invited to the selection camp set to begin Dec. 11 in Toronto.
The world junior tournament starts Dec. 26 in Montreal and Toronto. McDavid broke his hand in a fight on Nov. 12 and is expected to return in mid-December.
Fucale and Eric Comrie were the only two goalies invited and will not have to compete in camp for spots on the final 22-man roster. A third goalie can be added during the tournament if needed.
Defencemen Madison Bowey, Haydn Fleury, Dillon Heatherington, Joe Hicketts, Samuel Morin, Darnell Nurse, Travis Sanheim and Shea Theodore were also on the list.
Also invited were forwards Nick Baptiste, Rourke Chartier, Lawson Crouse, Michael Dal Colle, Jason Dickenson, Max Domi, Remi Elie, Robby Fabbri, Morgan Klimchuk, Nick Paul, Brayden Point, Nick Ritchie and Jake Vertanen.
Four other players eligible for the team would need to be released by their NHL clubs to play at the tournament, including Anthony Duclair of the New York Rangers, Jonathan Drouin of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bo Horvat of the Vancouver Canucks and Curtis Lazar of the Ottawa Senators. Defenceman Aaron Ekblad has already been ruled out by the Florida Panthers.
