Kent Johnson, Cole Sillinger selected to represent Canada at IIHF World Championships
Bailey Johnson
Kent Johnson has represented Canada in two international competitions already this year, and he's going to add a third to his list.
Monday, Hockey Canada named Johnson to its roster for the IIHF Men's World Championships, which begin Friday in Finland. Johnson previously was on the Canadian team at the U20 World Juniors, which were canceled mid-tournament because of a COVID-19 outbreak, and the Olympics. At the Olympics, Johnson was initially an alternate but played his way into the lineup and scored one goal with four assists in five games.
Johnson, the Blue Jackets' pick at No. 5 overall in the 2021 NHL draft, made his NHL debut in April and posted three assists in nine games down the stretch. At the Jackets' season-ending media availability April 30, Johnson was asked if he was going to play at the World Championships.
"No, I don't think so," he said.
Just over a week later, he's on his way to Europe for the competition. Canada will play a pre-tournament game against the United States on Wednesday before facing Germany in the first game of the group stage on Friday.
Teammate Cole Sillinger will join Johnson on Canada's roster in Finland, representing his country for the first time since the U17 World Hockey Challenge in November 2019. Sillinger missed the U18 World Championships in April 2021 with COVID-19 and wasn't released by the Jackets to play at the world juniors in the winter.
The original plan for Sillinger's rookie season included a potential break from the NHL schedule to join his peers at the world juniors, but his performance and role in the lineup with the Jackets meant Columbus decided not to send him — a decision that proved prescient when the tournament was canceled after just two games. In 79 games this season, Sillinger scored 16 goals and added 15 assists for 31 total points.
In his final interview on April 30, Sillinger said despite the 79 games he played, he felt ready for more.
"I’m young," Sillinger said. "The tank’s not too empty, honestly. ... I feel pretty good. Would be ready for 28 more (in the playoffs) if that was the case."
Four other Jackets, Nick Blankenburg and Andrew Peeke for the United States, Alexandre Texier for France and Elvis Merzlikins for Latvia, are confirmed to be competing for their respective countries. Sillinger and Johnson will face Texier on May 24 in the final game of the group stage.