Oilers’ Bouchard & Nurse Set to Play for Canada at World Championship

Edmonton Oilers defencemen Evan Bouchard and Darnell Nurse will be playing for Team Canada at the upcoming 2026 IIHF World Championship, according to TSN reporter Darren Dreger.

Hockey Canada has yet to announce its roster for the annual tournament, which is scheduled for May 15-31 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. 

First Oilers to Play for Canada Since 2019

Bouchard and Nurse would be the first members of the Oilers to represent Canada at the World Championship in seven years. The last to do it was Nurse, who helped his national team capture silver at the 2019 World Championship in Slovakia.

Since then, Edmonton players haven’t had the opportunity to go to the World Championship. The 2020 edition of the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while in each of the last few years, the Oilers were still playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when it started.

This year is different, as the Oilers were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round of the 2026 NHL Playoffs on April 30. That early postseason exit has left Oilers players like Bouchard and Nurse with time to join their national team.

World Championship Is a Consolation Prize

Because of its place on the calendar, the World Championship has always been seen as something of a consolation prize. No matter how proud they may be to represent their country, every player would rather still be with their NHL team competing for the Stanley Cup.

That’s surely the case for Bouchard and Nurse, who have become accustomed to deep NHL postseason runs with the Oilers, but have yet to capture hockey’s ultimate prize. Edmonton advanced to at least the second round of the playoffs each of the last few years, and in 2024 and 2025, the Oilers made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to the Florida Panthers.

Nurse Has Chance at Redemption

The World Championship might hold an extra personal meaning for the 31-year-old Nurse, as it provides an opportunity for the veteran defenceman to at least reduce the bad taste in his mouth from a disappointing campaign.