From the Branches: Czech it out!

World Cup

Tomas Plekanec named Czech captain for World Cup | HEOTP
The team of Mrazek, Sustr and Palat has a C!

World Cup of Hockey 2016: Get to know Sweden’s forwards | Fear The Fin
"Sweden doesn’t touch Canada in terms of overall talent or depth, but this is one team that at least has a chance of upsetting the Maple giants."

Fan Village to add to World Cup of Hockey experience | NHL
Free park will broadcast games, feature life-size bubble-hockey game, interrupt Species' commute.

World Cup of Hockey jerseys to feature advertisements | USA Today
Eh, whatever.

HOLTBY SAYS PRICE SHOULD START FOR CANADA IN WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY | CSN
"All of us want to play, but if Carey's healthy, there's no reason to not go with him," Holtby told Katie Brown of NHL.com. "He has all the experience internationally and the smart choice obviously would be that. I'm going to go there and play hard, [do] what I do, support the team in any way possible, whether it's playing or supporting another guy."

A rejuvenated Sidney Crosby will lead team of leaders at World Cup | Buffalo "Harrington" News
This column was not all that offensive (OK maybe offensive to Penguins, a little) and gave a decent look at the World Cup storylines, so I am linking to it.

Devils’ Cory Schneider to wear star-spangled pads at World Cup | THN
Team America is still terrible, but at least I can appreciate the heck out of these pads.

Are you excited for the World Cup? | Raw Charge
My pal Waffleboardsave did a good roundtable with a buncha Americans asking if they give a shit. "The first World Cup of Hockey was one of my earliest exposures to the game, and I imagine I’m not the only one who fell in the love with hockey permanently thanks to a team of Americans led by the likes of Brett Hull, Mike Richter and Tony Amonte."

An All-Snubs team would be a force to reckon with up front and on defense at the World Cup of Hockey | ESPN
Taylor Hall - Tyler Johnson - Corey Perry
Milan Lucic - Nick Bjugstad - Wayne Simmonds
James Neal - Ryan Johansen - Phil Kessel
Rick Nash - Ryan O'Reilly - Justin Williams
Kyle Okposo
Mark Giordano - P.K. Subban
Cam Fowler - John Klingberg
T.J. Brodie - Kevin Shattenkirk
Justin Faulk
Martin Jones
Devan Dubnyk
Brian Elliott

Frederik Andersen is Lego Batman for the World Cup | PPP
And here, look how cool these other World Cup buckets from Daveart are:

Other Hockey News

You Are Not Cowards, I Promise | TBT
Sarah Howling wrote in support of closeted athletes.

Coyotes GM: Bolland won’t play ‘for the foreseeable future’ | Sportsnet
Not surprising.

The Cannon Top 25 under 25 #6: Zach Werenski | Jackets Cannon
I am posting this T25 from another site because I really enjoyed watching Zach Werenski at the Frozen Four.

Season Preview: Three questions with Avalanche blog MHH | SSS
This link goes out to Katya.

Ovechkin takes to Twitter to announce marriage | The Score
More like D'awwwwvechkin.