Despres was one of the 26 players named to the Canadian roster for the Karjala Cup, which will be held Nov. 8-12 in Helsinki, Finland, and Biel, Switzerland. Canada will face off against Switzerland, Sweden and Finland in the tournament.
Hockey Canada coaches said in a press release that this tournament is the next step in determining who will represent the country at February's Olympics.
“These 26 players are part of the larger group that is still under consideration for the Olympic team; 10 of these players were not with us in August in Russia, while others who remain under consideration won’t join us next month due either to their being unavailable, or because we feel we already have a good sense of where they could fit with our team," said general manager Sean Burke.
TSN will broadcast Canada's games against Sweden (Nov. 10, 12:30 p.m.) and Finland (Nov. 12, 10130 a.m.).#NEWS | 26 @HC_Men to play for Canada at the Karjala Cup, Nov. 8-12, part of the ongoing evaluation for PyeongChang. https://t.co/qfYLG3niG8 pic.twitter.com/m9UxuJPOJZ— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) October 26, 2017
Despres is playing with the KHL's HC Slovan Bratislava this season where he has three goals and two assists in 17 games.
The 26-year-old defenceman missed almost all of last season with the NHL's Anaheim Ducks due to a concussion. It's believed one of the reasons Despres went to Russia this year was so he could be considered for Canada's Olympic roster, which will not feature NHLers.
Despres spent four seasons with the Saint John Sea Dogs from 2007 to 2011, helping the club win a Memorial Cup title in his final season.
No Sea Dog has ever played for Canada at an Olympic Games.
Photo: Marc Henwood/Station Nation
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