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Flyers have 8 players appearing in World Cup of Hockey for 4 countries – Metro US
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Flyers have 8 players appearing in World Cup of Hockey for 4 countries

Flyers have 8 players appearing in World Cup of Hockey for 4 countries
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The Flyers don’t report to training camp for another couple of weeks.

However, there are eight players who are planning to report to training camp this weekend — albeit not in Voorhees, New Jersey, Philadelphia or, for most of them, even the United States.

They will be scattered all over the globe to practice and train with their own countrymen in preparation for the World Cup of Hockey, which gets underway on Sept. 17 and runs through Oct. 1.

Here is who is headed to the tournament, which will take place at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Czech Republic

Jakub Voracek — The right wing, who had his struggles last season, hopes to get off to a hot start this year. It won’t hurt that he could line up on the Czech’s top line with center David Krejci and Ondrej Palat.

Radko Gudas — Fresh off signing a contract extension this summer, the oft-undisciplined but bruising defenseman should play plenty of minutes. The Czechs would love if he plays the way he did over the final two months of the regular season and in the first round of the playoffs.

Michal Neuvirth — He will be used to his role: a backup who can jump in and provide quality minutes. Petr Mrazek (Red Wings) has the starter’s job all but locked up, but as Neuvirth showed last season with the Flyers, he’s just as capable to carry the load, if needed.

Europe

Mark Streit — Even at age 38, the swift puck-carrying defenseman is a valuable commodity, especially on the power play. On a team that is made up of skaters form Germany, France, Slovakia, Denmark, Norway, Latvia and Austria, expect the Swiss native to handle third-pairing minutes as he likely plays in his last international competition.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare — The center formed one-third of the one of the best fourth lines in the NHL last season. The Frenchman, who was a surprise selection, will have the same responsibility — playing solid defense and killing penalties — for Europe as he does with the Flyers.

North America

Sean Courturier and Shayne Gostisbehere — The two Flyers made a team comprised of players 23 and under that will probably be the most entertaining squad of the tournament. With teammates such as budding superstars Auston Matthews (last June’s top pick), Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Johnny Gaudreau and Aaron Ekblad, the young guns will try and show the vets or thing or two.

Canada

Claude Giroux — No snub this time. After getting left off the Olympic roster in 2014, Giroux will be right in the middle of it for Canada. Regardless of which line he is on or who is on his line, it will be fun to watch the Flyers captain play alongside some of the best players in the world on the likely favorite to win the Cup.