KOŠICE, Slovakia – Hockey Canada announced Thursday that Team Canada forward John Tavares (Oakville, Ont./Toronto, NHL) will miss the 2019 IIHF World Championship with an oblique injury. 

“We are disappointed that John will not be able to participate as a member of Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, but after contacting the Toronto Maple Leafs we agreed it was best for him to return home for further evaluation,” said Jason Botterill, a member of the management group for Canada’s National Men’s Team. “We know John was excited about the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf once again, and we were excited to have John as a member of our team and to welcome his many years of NHL and international experience.” 

The 28-year-old was set to represent Canada for the fourth time at the IIHF World Championship, having also competed in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Tavares has won gold for Canada at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, as well as the 2008 and 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships, and won the Spengler Cup in 2012. He was also a member of Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2006 IIHF U18 World Championship and competed as a member of Team Ontario at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2006. 

Canada kicks off the 2019 IIHF World Championship on Friday, May 10 when it faces off against Finland at 10:15 a.m. ET/7:15 a.m. PT. TSN and RDS, Hockey Canada’s official broadcast partners, will carry 64 and 29 games, respectively; please check local listings for details. 

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Twitter.com/HC_Men.