Canucks announce NHL China Games roster

The pre-season begins tomorrow for the Canucks with some players heading to LA to kick off the season with a tilt against the Kings.

Next week, the Canucks will head to China to play two games against that same Kings team in Beijing and Shanghai as part of the NHL China Games. The roster was released by the Canucks earlier this afternoon:

4 Del Zotto, Michael

8 Tanev, Chris

9 Upshall, Scottie

15 Dorsett, Derek

22 Sedin, Daniel

20 Sutter, Brandon

21 Eriksson, Loui

23 Edler, Alex

24 Boucher, Reid

25 Markstrom, Jacob

26 Vanek, Thomas

27 Hutton, Ben

31 Nilsson, Anders

33 Sedin, Henrik (C)

36 White, Ryan

42 Burmistrov, Alexander

44 Gudbranson, Erik

47 Baertschi, Sven

51 Stecher, Troy

53 Horvat, Bo

55 Biega, Alex

60 Granlund, Markus

89 Gagner, Sam

90 Wiercioch, Patrick

It had been mentioned multiple times that the Canucks would be taking a veteran roster overseas and this team reflects that. It’s fair to believe that the majority of this team will make up the Canucks opening night roster with a few exceptions. It’s about selling the game, and by the Canucks sending a fairly veteran ladened lineup, it helps to put the best product forward.

It will be interesting to see how the lines shake out and who gets a chance to make a name for themselves as players like Reid Boucher and Patrick Wiercioch are battling for spots. While Scottie Upshall and Ryan White, who are here on a PTO, look to make a good impression.

The first game will be at 4:30 AM PT on Thursday, September 21 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai , and the second game will be at 12:30 AM PT on Saturday, September 23 at Wukesong Arena in Beijing.