Mason Raymond talks Team Canada, Willie Desjardins

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      After it was announced that NHLers (for sure, one hundred percent, without-a-doubt) are not going to be able to represent their respective countries at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Hockey Canada came up with two rosters of prospective players to represent the country. 

      Willie Desjardins and Sean Burke were announced as coach and GM, respectively, and the two asserted that while those players would definitely get a close look, there may be other players in consideration. 

      One of the players on Team Canada's shortlist that turned some heads was Mason Raymond. Last seen in the NHL during a four-game stint with the Anaheim Ducks last season, Raymond is about as close to NHL calibre as Team Canada is going to get. 

      Raymond himself is quite excited about the chance to pull a Team Canada sweater over his head after what were a rocky couple seasons in the NHL. 

      "It's definitely exciting, any chance you get to represent your country", said Raymond over the phone from his home in Calgary. "I've done it twice before and it's just such an amazing feeling, wearing that sweater and having the country watch."

      It's fair to say that if he's successful in his bid for the Olympics, Raymond will have more Canadian eyes watching him than in the past, as he's represented his nation at both the 2010 IIHF World Championship and the Spengler Cup just last year.

      While the 2010 experience ended with a quarterfinal loss to Russia, the time spent at the Spengler may have changed Raymond's path. 

      The speedy winger finished the tournament third in points and developed some chemistry with former Canuck Andrew Ebbett, who lead the tournament in scoring. Ebbett plays for SC Bern of the Swiss League. Raymond signed a contract with the team this June. 

      "Yeah, definitely," he says when asked whether Ebbett's presence on the team convinced him to make the move to Switzerland (also where the Spengler was held last year). "We were able to develop some good chemistry there and I already knew him a bit from playing together in Vancouver. He's a really great guy and the fact that we were able to get it done on the ice made it an easy decision." 

      Of course, Ebbett isn't the only other former Canuck on Team Canada's shortlist. There's Marc-Andre Gragnani, Derek Roy and Cam Barker, who Raymond played with. There's also Willie Desjardins, who didn't coach Raymond in Vancouver, but whom he does know. He also keeps in touch with those who did play for Desjardins.

      "Yeah, I keep in touch with some of the guys, Kevin Bieksa especially, some other guys as well. They didn't have enough good things to say about him, and I also know Willie personally. He's a great coach and I'm really excited for the chance to play for him." 

      As for moving his family to Switzerland, Raymond — who left the Anaheim Ducks organization after he was demoted to the AHL, citing family reasons —  to the new scenery. "They are really excited. I'm a family guy first and foremost, that's what's most important to me," he says of his wife, Megan and two children. "We're all looking forward to moving out there." 

      The contract with SC Bern is only for a year, so if Raymond impresses at the Olympics enough for NHL teams to take notice, would he consider playing in North America again?

      "Well, absolutely. You never know what's going to happen. Right now I'm focused on the Olympics and Switzerland, but who knows what'll happen? I don't want to close any doors, that's for sure." 

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