Harper, McFadden & Maaskant named to Universiade Team Canada roster

TORONTO (U SPORTS) – U SPORTS announced Friday the rosters for Canada's men's and women's hockey teams set to compete at the 2019 FISU Winter Universiade.

The two squads bring Canada's total delegation heading to Krasnoyarsk, Russia to 121, joining the first five teams and 45 athletes announced last month for the Mar.2-12 World University Games. Both teams are exclusively composed of U SPORTS student-athletes and are being managed by the national office. Among the group, seven players have competed for the U SPORTS All-Stars either against Hockey Canada's World Junior Prospects in December or the National Women's Development Team at the annual Summer Showcase in August. Three of the seven former U SPORTS All-Stars have also suited up at a previous FISU Winter Universiade.

Three Axemen will have an opportunity to extend their 2018-19 season as members of Team Canada at the 2019 Universiade Games in Russia. Stephen Harper - who led the Axemen this season in scoring, Garrett McFadden - who was named as an AUS All-Rookie team defenseman and veteran defenseman Liam Maaskant were added to the Team Canada roster.

Behind the bench, Kevin Hamlin of the Windsor Lancers has been named head coach of the men's team, joined by Richard Lim of the RMC Paladins, and Michael Sirant and Devin Himpe of the Manitoba Bisons as assistants.

A total of 12 teams will vie for gold in the men's competition, while six will compete in the women's tournament. The Canadian men will open play on Saturday Mar. 2 12:30 a.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. PT, Friday, Mar. 1 (12:30 p.m. local time on Mar. 2) against Great Britain, with Latvia, Switzerland, Sweden, and Kazakhstan making up the rest of the group. The second group includes Hungary, Japan, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia and the United States.

"It's an honour to represent Canada and I'm looking forward to the experience of competing against others from around the world," said Hamlin. "Our team is assembled with student-athletes and coaches from coast to coast. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm confident all participants will make Canada proud."

MEN'S HOCKEY ROSTER

Head Coach: Kevin Hamlin, Windsor

Assistant Coach: Richard Lim, RMC

Assistant Coach: Mike Sirant, Manitoba

Assistant Coach: Devin Himpe, Manitoba

Athletic Therapist: Geneviève Renaud

Equipment Manager: Trevor Black, Waterloo**

*Former U SPORTS All-Star

**Returning from the 2017 FISU Winter Universiade and former U SPORTS All-Star