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Logan Couture replaces Jamie Benn on Team Canada World Cup roster

By Dave Stevenson

May 30, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) at the face-off circle against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game one of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) at the face-off circle against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game one of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Logan Couture is replacing Jamie Benn on Team Canada’s roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. 

Dallas Stars wing Jamie Benn is recovering from offseason surgery to fix a core muscle injury. He was expected to recover in time to play for Team Canada at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. The Stars are playing it safe and will hold him out of the September tournament. San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture will replace Benn on Canada’s roster.

“We are excited to add Logan to Team Canada,” said general manager Doug Armstrong, via Hockey Canada. “He has developed into a top player in the NHL, and his versatility will benefit our group of forwards. In making this decision the management group consulted with our coaching staff and determined that Logan was the best fit to help fill the role that Jamie was projected to play on Team Canada.”

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Stars fans shouldn’t get too worried about Benn not recovering in time to play. The team is likely playing it safe with Benn. Losing Benn for an extended period of time would be devastating to the Stars, who have Stanley Cup aspirations. Benn had 41 goals and 89 points during the regular season in 2015-16 along with 15 points in 13 playoff games.

Couture has not played for Canada internationally since 2007 at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He was supposed to play at the 2014 Winter Olympics, but an injury kept him off the roster. Couture led the NHL in playoff points last season with a league high 20 assists and 30 points.

He added 36 points in 52 games during the regular season while fighting an injury. Couture will likely serve as a wing on Canada’s deep roster that has a number of centers. In 2007, he had two goals and four points in six games for Team Canada at the World Juniors (under 18).

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