The Latest: Kovalchuk could still make Russia's team
MOSCOW (AP) The Latest on the World Cup of Hockey roster announcements (all times local):
---
4:55 p.m.
Russian Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretiak says former New Jersey Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk could still play at the World Cup despite missing out on Russia's 16-man roster.
Kovalchuk has played for Kontinental Hockey League team SKA St. Petersburg since walking out on the Devils in 2013 and has been a key player for the Russian national team in recent years.
''The coaches will decide about Kovalchuk,'' Tretiak told Russian state news agency Tass. ''You have to deserve it with your game to make the national team. The gates are open for everyone.''
Kovalchuk has been left out of the team for SKA's last four KHL playoff games following an unspecified disciplinary issue that also resulted in two other players being sent to farm teams.
Russia's 16-man roster for the World Cup did not feature any players from outside the NHL, a decision which coach Oleg Znarok said was made because the tournament is played on an NHL-size rink rather than international ice.
---
1:05 p.m.
Finland roster:
Goaltenders: Tuukka Rask, Pekka Rinne
Defensemen: Olli Maatta, Rasmus Ristolainen, Sami Vatenen, Esa Lindell
Forwards: Aleksander Barkov, Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund, Jussi Jokinen, Joonas Donskoi, Valtteri Filppula, Leo Komarov, Lauri Korpikoski, Jori Lehtera, Teuvo Teravainen
---
12:55 p.m.
Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins and Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators were both included in Finland's team for the World Cup of Hockey.
The Nordic country will go into the competition with less experience than when it won bronze at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, with players like Teemu Selanne having retired.
The 16 players who were announced Wednesday included other NHL players, including defensemen Olli Maatta of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Rasmus Ristolainen of the Buffalo Sabres and Sami Vatenen of the Anaheim Ducks.
---
11:45 a.m.
Russia roster:
Goaltenders: Sergei Bobrovsky, Semyon Varlamov, Andrei Vasilevsky
Defensemen: Dmitry Kulikov, Andrei Markov, Dmitry Orlov
Forwards: Artem Anisimov, Pavel Datsyuk, Nikita Kucherov, Nikolai Kulemin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Evgeni Malkin, Vladislav Namestnikov, Alex Ovechkin, Artemi Panarin, Vladimir Tarasenko
---
11:15 a.m.
Washington Capitals forwards Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov head Russia's roster for the World Cup of Hockey.
The Russian Hockey Federation's 16-man roster mixes established names such as Russian Olympic team regulars Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeny Malkin with up-and-comers such as the Tampa Bay Lightning pair of Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov.
Just three defensemen made the list, including Montreal's Andrei Markov.
Russia had the option to pick players from outside the NHL, but opted not to, coach Oleg Znarok citing the fact that the World Cup will be played on NHL ice, rather than Olympic-size ice.
Each team must announce 16 players Thursday, with a further seven to be added by June 1.
The World Cup runs from Sept. 17 through Oct. 1, ahead of the NHL pre-season.
