Don't be surprised if Canada hits the ground running at the men's world hockey championship in the Czech Republic next month.

Seventeen of the first 19 players selected by general manager Jim Nill and his management team have previous international experience, including nine that have played at the world tourney.

"We could not be more pleased with this first group of players who have committed to representing their country," Nill said in a statement released by Hockey Canada.

Canada's preliminary-round schedule May 1: vs. Latvia, 10:15 a.m. ET

vs. Latvia, 10:15 a.m. ET May 3: vs. Germany, 10:15 a.m. ET

vs. Germany, 10:15 a.m. ET May 4: vs. Czech Rep., 2:15 p.m. ET

vs. Czech Rep., 2:15 p.m. ET May 6: vs. Sweden, 2:15 p.m. ET

vs. Sweden, 2:15 p.m. ET May 9: vs. France, 6:15 a.m. ET

vs. France, 6:15 a.m. ET May 10: vs. Switzerland, 2:15 p.m. ET

vs. Switzerland, 2:15 p.m. ET May 12: vs. Austria, 6:15 a.m. ET

"This group includes a fantastic mix of youth and experience, and these 19 players are ready to get over to Europe and wear the red and white of Team Canada."

Nill and company might wait to see if any players from Stanley Cup playoff teams are eliminated quickly in the opening round and have interest in playing at the worlds in Prague and Ostrava.

Canada can register up to 25 players, including three goalies, on its roster.

Martin Jones of the Los Angeles Kings and Arizona's Mike Smith are two of the goalies while the defence will be anchored by San Jose's Brent Burns and NHL rookie of the year candidate Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers.

Up front, Dallas' Tyler Seguin, fresh off a 37-goal, 77-point season, Philadelphia's Claude Giroux (73 points) and Edmonton's Jordan Eberle (63) will lead the offence.

The 16-day tournament begins May 1 with the Canada facing Latvia at 10:15 a.m. ET.