Left off of Team Canada’s roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, Roberto Luongo tweets out his reaction.
On Wednesday night, Canada announced the initial 16 players that have made the team for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Among the names, were three goaltenders, meaning when the rest of the roster is filled in between now and June 1, no new netminders will make it. This includes Florida Panthers’ goalie, Roberto Luongo, who was a member of both Olympic gold medal winning teams in 2010 and 2014.
While he was happy with the three goaltenders who did make the team, Carey Price, Braden Holtby and Corey Crawford, he had a suggestion for another team that could be added so that he could play.
Is there a team Canada over 35 I can sign up for anywhere?Kidding aside those r 3 great and well deserving goalies. Canada in great hands 🇨🇦
— Strombone (@strombone1) March 2, 2016
At 36 years old, Luongo is leading the Florida Panthers to one of the best seasons in franchise history. In 47 starts this season, he has a record of 27-15-6, a save percentage sitting at .925, and a goals against average of 2.24.
There are not enough 35 and over active NHLers to make up an entire Team Canada, but a third multinational team similar to Team North America and Team Europe would be epic. Joining Luongo would obviously be fellow Panthers star, the ageless wonder himself, Jaromir Jagr. At 44 years old, Jagr is leading the Panthers in both goals and points as they sit a top the Atlantic Division.
This hypothetical team, which assuming it would follow the same rules as the under-23 squad, would have a pool to choose from that would include Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Henrik Zetterberg, Zdeno Chara, and Andrei Markov. As well as players not already on World Cup rosters like Jarome Iginla.
Of course, Luongo could still make Team Canada if one of the other goalies gets injured some time between now and the start of the World Cup in September. However, maybe the NHL should consider adding an over-35 team next time around.