Tavares will play for Team Canada at Worlds

While some teams continue playing post-season hockey, at least one member of this team will continue playing at the 2019 IIHF World Championships.

John Tavares will be heading over and representing his country with other players that are not involved in the playoffs anymore. Joining him will be Mark Stone, and Penguins goaltender Matt Murray. Other roster members have not been announced yet, but behind the bench will be Alain Vigneault, Lindy Ruff, Dave Hakstol, and Kirk Muller — a real who’s who of NHL coaching misery.

The 16-team tournament will take place from May 10th-26th and will be held in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia.

Team Canada will be in Group A with the United States, Germany, Finland, host nation Slovakia, Denmark, France, and recently-promoted Great Britain.

After his debut season with the Leafs and playing in all 82 games, Tavares will play even more competitive hockey this year. Even after posting a career-high 88 points, the forward will wear the red and white once again.

This will be his fourth World Championships. In 22 games in this tournament, he has a total of 16 goals and 25 points.

His relationship with Hockey Canada goes far back. Playing on the U18 team a whole 13 years ago, winning World Juniors gold, and playing at the 2014 Olympics — Tavares has been held in high regard when it comes to representing his country.

There were reports earlier of Morgan Rielly being invited, but he has not yet made his choice on whether to head over and play.