Bertuzzi Left Off Canada’s Cup Roster

Suspended Vancouver forward Todd Bertuzzi was left off Canada’s roster Saturday for the World Cup of Hockey .

Paul Kariya, Eric Lindros, Keith Primeau, Jose Theodore and Brendan Shanahan also were among the notable omissions from Executive Director Wayne Gretzky’s team.

The announcement at Calgary’s Saddledome came during an off-day in the NHL Western Conference finals between the Flames and the San Jose Sharks.

Gretzky’s choices were an intriguing mix of youth and experience, with grinders playing alongside the NHL’s best scorers. Several young stars received their first call for a major international tournament, including Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis, Boston’s Joe Thornton, San Jose’s Patrick Marleau and Atlanta’s Dany Heatley.

“There’s so much talent in Canadian hockey,” Gretzky said. “We should be proud of the talent we’re producing, because we could have two very good hockey clubs.”

The tournament will be held in six countries from Aug. 30 to the final Sept. 14 in Toronto.

Bertuzzi was banned from the NHL indefinitely in March for his vicious blind-side hit on Colorado’s Steve Moore, and Commissioner Gary Bettman would have had to reinstate Bertuzzi for the tournament, a joint venture between the league and the players’ union.