BUFFALO, N.Y.—Officially, Team Canada defenceman Cal Foote had a choice.

Born in Englewood, Colo., when his father, former NHL defenceman Adam, was toiling for the Avalanche, Foote could have donned the Stars and Stripes to represent the United States at any point along the way in his international hockey career.

But his dad was Canadian and has an Olympic gold medal from 2002.

And what son doesn’t want to be like dad?

So there was really no choice; Cal Foote would play for Canada at the world juniors.

“Growing up, I always considered myself Canadian, always cheering for Team Canada,” the younger Foote said. “I was born into a Canadian family, so that’s what made my decision.”

Foote might have been chosen to play for Canada’s world junior entry last year, but there was a residency issue. As far as the International Ice Hockey Federation was concerned, Foote was American. He had not spent enough time in Canada, at least consecutively, despite what a passport might say.

“It hurt a little bit knowing there knowing there were legal reasons I couldn’t play,” Foote said. “This year is a new year, and it’s a different opportunity, so I’m glad to be back.”

Canada is glad to have him. Foote made the play of the tournament so far, a diving goal-line save to stop a Finnish attempt that had beaten Canadian goalie Carter Hart in Canada’s 4-2 win on Tuesday.

“The puck was on its side, but looking back at the replay it was close, but I was pretty sure I got it,” Foote said after the game.

Hart thanked him. “He just said, ‘Great save, thank you very much.’ I said you’ve got a lot more (saves), so thank you.”

It’s not the first time Foote’s been the hero like that, says teammate Dillon Dube. Both are members of Kelowna Rockets.

“I see that all the time,” Dube said. “If anybody saw the exhibition game against the Czechs, he did the same thing. He was in the net making a save. He was incredible. He does it all the time, but that (against Finland) was probably the best I’ve ever seen.

“He was out of the crease, he made a diving save, that helped us a lot. It was probably the biggest play of the game.”

This is Foote’s first experience with Hockey Canada, while most of the players with the team have performed in other international tournaments for Canada.

“Right now he’s quiet,” Dube said. “Most guys who first come in are like that. He is a character.”

Foote, like just about everybody else on the team, has also bought in to Canada’s mantra. Each are stars back on their club team but each take lesser roles to represent their country.

In Kelowna, for example, he’s the captain. But with Team Canada, he doesn’t wear a letter. In fact, it’s his Kelowna teammate Dube who’s the captain.

“He’s one of the best leaders I’ve been with,” Dube says of Foote. “It shows.

“That’s the best thing about our team. Every guy is worried about winning. If you put your egos aside, you can create and accomplish great things. Every single guy in the room is a leader, I think we can accept that and move on.”

Adam Foote was prototypical defenceman for his time, big and physical. He was captain of the Avalanche and his No. 52 was retired in 2013. And, in a piece of trivia, he was the last active member of the Quebec Nordiques, playing until the 2010-11 season. He also played a few seasons for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Cal Foote was drafted 14th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning last summer. Like his dad, Cal is big — at six-foot-four, he is the biggest player on Team Canada. He’s physical too, and he just might be a better skater, which is more a requirement for today’s hockey player.

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But there’s one area Cal wants to be like dad.

“I want to have the compete level and the work ethic that he had,” he said.

“He brought it every single night. That’s what he’s known for. For me, that’s the most important thing. Our style of play is a little bit different. We both move pucks out of our end, and try to shut down their top players. I’d say that’s what our similarities are.”