Neighbours open to another chance to represent Canada at World Championship

ST. LOUIS -- Add Jake Neighbours to the growing list of St. Louis Blues players who could reunite this spring representing their country.

Neighbours said on Tuesday prior to facing the Dallas Stars in the season finale on Wednesday he's open to playing for Canada at the IIHF World Championship in Prague-Ostrava, Czechia May 10-26, possibly would be joined by goalie Jordan Binnington and defenseman Colton Parayko possibly.

It would be the second straight year for Neighbours, who had a goal and four assists in 10 games for gold medal-winning Canada in the same tournament last year in Tampere, Finland and Riga, Latvia.

"It's been thought about for sure," Neighbours said. "I haven't really made a decision either which way, not have I been asked. If that opportunity approaches, we'll take it as it comes."

Neighbours, who will finish his second NHL season with a career-high 27 goals and 38 points in 77 games this season, will wind up missing the final five games with a head injury suffered April 6 against the San Jose Sharks. He will most likely get asked to join, since the Canadian general manager for the 2026 Winter Olympic squad who certainly will offer his input to World Championship GM Rick Nash, and that's none other than Neighbours' GM with the Blues: Doug Armstrong.

"I'd definitely have a long, hard thought about it," Neighbours said.

There's a definitely twist to it this year though.

Neighbours will be entering the final year of his entry-level contract next year and will be in line for his first bigger contract moving forward, aside from having played for Team Canada last year and into the summer the previous year with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, there's some things to ponder.

"I've played two years in a row now pretty much into June and with the recent injury and big year coming up next year, there's a lot of things to consider," Neighbours said. "But it's definitely something think about.

"You're kind of raised that way, right? Hockey Canada is kind of like the peak of hockey almost. There's the NHL and there's representing your country in a major tournament. It's always an honor when you're considered for something like that. I haven't been asked yet. I'm not sure of that'll be on the radar. But it's always definitely an honor when you get a chance to represent."

Neighbours played last year with goalie Joel Hofer and forward Sammy Blais and could have some more Blues teammate join him if he is asked to go and decides to attend.

"I think it would be a great opportunity and why wouldn't a team like Team Canada want a player like that in their lineup," Blues interim coach Drew Bannister said. "What he's done this year, how he's progressed in his play, the character that he brings daily in the room and on the ice. It would be a no-brainer for me and certainly if he had that opportunity, he'd want to jump at it, but for me, if I had any say in it, which I don't, but if I did, I'd certainly want him there with me.

"I think it's a great opportunity for these players to continue to play and play in meaningful games and play for their country. For me, I was lucky enough to play for the World Junior team. It's a proud moment when you get to wear those colors for Team Canada."