Report: Canada adds Wedgewood to Olympic long list
Team Canada added Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood to its Olympic long list, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.
Canada's list features more than 90 players. Wedgewood will now enter Olympic drug testing protocols, making him eligible for selection should Canada choose to include him on the final roster.
Thrust into Colorado's starting role after Mackenzie Blackwood's season-opening injury, Wedgewood has gone 13-1-2 in 17 games and leads the NHL in wins this campaign. He also owns a .918 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average, the best marks of his career.
Canada's lack of goaltending options has become a significant storyline. Jordan Binnington, who starred for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game, has a .880 SV% amid struggles with the St. Louis Blues. Adin Hill, Binnington's backup in the 4 Nations Face-Off final, is injured and hasn't played for the Vegas Golden Knights since Oct. 20. Third-stringer Sam Montembeault is also faltering this campaign, posting an NHL-worst .852 SV% among goalies with 10 or more games.
Wedgewood has primarily served as a backup throughout his eight-year NHL career, never starting more than 32 contests in a season or playing in a postseason game. He's made 171 appearances across stints between the New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and Avalanche.
The 33-year-old has never represented Canada at the senior level. He played at the 2012 world juniors in his lone international appearance.
Canada added New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer to its long list Thursday.