Mayers up against the world again

By: Dave Winer April 9, 2008 08:22 AM - Mississauga’s Jamal Mayers is among the seven NHL players from the 2007 gold medalists invited back to compete at next month’s IIHF World Championship in Halifax and Quebec City.
The 34-year-old St Louis Blues forward, who provided some unexpected offence with last year’s team, will join fellow returnees Eric Staal and Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes, Jason Chimera and Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Shane Doan of the Phoenix Coyotes and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks on the squad.
With only 15 of the team’s players announced yesterday, Team Canada general manager Steve Yzerman has more tough decisions to make in the upcoming weeks.
Canada opens training camp April 24 in Quebec City.
Canada plays its first tournament game in Halifax on May 2 against Slovenia.
Other matchups that day will include Denmark against the Czech Republic, Russia against Italy and the United States versus Latvia.
Belarus, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, France, Norway and Slovakia close out the participating countries.
Other NHLers among the 15 selected today are goalie Pascal Leclaire of the Blue Jackets, Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers, Duncan Keith and Patrick Sharp of the Blackhawks, Steve Staios of the Edmonton Oilers, Derek Roy of the Buffalo Sabres, Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ray Whitney of the Carolina Huricanes.
dwiner@mississauga.net