Team North America has ‘quiet confidence’

Florida Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad said it would be a mistake for the other teams in the World Cup of Hockey 2016 to take the youthful Team North America lightly.

“There is a lot of speed and a lot of talent on our team,” Ekblad said. “I think it all comes down to how we jell as a team led by [coach] Todd McLellan and the rest of the coaching staff. I think we’ll do fine.”

Team North America adds a new wrinkle to international hockey, a group featuring the top players from the United States and Canada age 23 or younger. It will play in Group B along with Team Finland, Team Russia and Team Sweden.

The eight-team tournament will be held at Air Canada Centre in Toronto from September 17-October 1.

Although Team North America could be at a disadvantage because of its youth and relative inexperience, co-general managers Peter Chiarelli (Oilers) and Stan Bowman (Chicago Blackhawks) have selected a wealth of talent.

Among the players on the team are Ekblad, the 2015 Calder Trophy winner; defenceman Shayne Gostisbehere (Philadelphia Flyers), the runner-up for the 2016 Calder; goaltender Matt Murray, who helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win the 2016 Stanley Cup; centres Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres), the first two picks of the 2015 NHL Draft; and Auston Matthews (Toronto …

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