Backes named to Team USA; Shattenkirk misses cut
St. Louis Blues captain David Backes was among the final four forwards added to the United States' World Cup of Hockey roster Friday.
Two-time Olympic forward Phil Kessel failed to make the final cut, a day after helping the Pittsburgh Penguins reach the Stanley Cup Final.
In passing over the 10-year NHL veteran, Team USA officials filled the final four forward spots with Columbus' Brandon Dubinsky, Toronto's James van Riemsdyk, Tampa Bay's Ryan Callahan and Backes. The remaining defense spots went to Colorado's Erik Johnson, Columbus' Jack Johnson and Washington's Matt Niskanen.
The seven additions announced Friday filled out a 23-player roster competing in the eight-team tournament in Toronto in September.
Kessel was left off despite a postseason in which he's leading the Penguins with nine goals and 18 points. At the 2014 Sochi Games, the U.S. finished fourth with Kessel scoring a team-leading five goals and eight points.
Other notables missing the cut were Ottawa forward Bobby Ryan and St. Louis defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
