Teddy Purcell added to Canada's world hockey roster

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Teddy Purcell will wear the Maple Leaf at the upcoming IIHF World Hockey Championship.

Purcell rounded out the initial list of 17 players confirmed to represent Canada at the tournament, which begins next month in Helsinki, Finland. Hockey Canada released the list on Wednesday.

Purcell had an impressive second half of the NHL season playing on Tampa Bay's top line with all-stars Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. The native of St. John's, N.L., ended the year with career bests in goals (24), assists (41) and points (65).

Purcell joins an impressive forward crew that includes last season's NHL MVP Corey Perry, fellow Vancouver Olympian Ryan Getzlaf, and 30-goal scorers John Tavares, Jordan Eberle and Evander Kane.

The world championship comes at a crucial time for Canada, which has dipped to fourth in the world rankings after consecutive quarter-final exits. The groupings for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia will be set once the tournament wraps up next month.