Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer gets the call in net as Canada opens up its World Championship group stage play on Friday against France. You can catch the action live on TSN at 9:30am et/6:30am pt. Coach Dave Tippett says he made the call of Reimer over Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens, Reimers former teammate, strictly due to seniority. Its expected that both goalies will split time at the tournament in Belarus with Scrivens likely seeing action in Canadas next game on Saturday against Slovakia. Reimer last played for Canada at the 2011 World Championships in Slovakia, posting a 4-0 record in the group stage. Jonathan Bernier, now Reimers teammate with the Leafs, was preferred for Canadas quarterfinal game and dropped a 2-1 decision to Russia. This is Scrivenss first time representing Canada at any level. Meanwhile, Kevin Bieksa was named Team Canadas captain on Thursday. Coach Dave Tippett said Bieksa got the nod because hes outgoing but also plays hard and with passion. Jason Chimera is one alternate because he brings the experience of winning at this tournament before and Kyle Turris is the other because he bridges young and old on the roster. One thing Canadas leadership group has in common is a love for keeping things light on the ice. Thats part of what Bieksa thinks his role is, but he also expects his teammates to take the tournament seriously. "Just to keep guys loose having fun and then focused for the games," the Vancouver Canucks defenceman said. "Everybodys coming over here for a purpose. We didnt fly all this way just to have a good time. We flew here to win games and to continue on the standard that Canada set at the Olympics. Were going to come to compete." At 32, Bieksa is the fourth-oldest player on the team, younger than only Chimera (35), Joel Ward (33) and Alex Burrows (32). There are also a handful of very young players, including Nathan MacKinnon (18), Sean Monahan (19), Jonathan Huberdeau (20), and Mark Scheifele (21). Bieksa is in charge of helping meld this diverse group together. "Its been pretty seamless so far. Everybody brings something to the table," Bieksa said after practice at Chizhovka-Arena. "The young guys are young and (add) a new perspective and energy and the older guys, theres some guys that have played in this tournament a few times and they know what to expect and you lean on them for some advice. Its a good mix." Chimera is Canadas only player with an IIHF World Hockey Championship gold medal, won in 2007 in Moscow. His message to a lot of his teammates is that they never know when theyll be able to wear the Maple Leaf again. That could be true of Chimera, too, and if it is the Washington Capitals winger is making sure he enjoys it. Even with two children at home, his wife was supportive of him coming to Minsk to play in his third world championship. "Hockey keeps you young," said Chimera, whos 4 1/2 years too young to be able to play without a visor. "Its just awesome, you see these young kids, how talented they are, they keep it light. A lot of them were pretty nervous coming over here, but I try to keep it as light as possible." Thursdays first practice in Minsk following an exhibition game against Switzerland in Zurich was light but up-tempo. Tippett and assistants Paul Maurice and Peter DeBoer had plenty of teaching to do a day before Canada opens the tournament against France. James Reimer will start against France, while Ben Scrivens is set to start against Slovakia on Saturday night. "It goes solely off seniority," Tippett said. "Scrivens was upset because he thought he shouldve got the call because he had 19 seconds longer than Reimer the other day (in the exhibition game)." Reimer is playing at the world championships for the second time after going 4-0-0 in 2011 before being replaced by now-Toronto Maple Leafs teammate Jonathan Bernier. With Scrivens -- whos now with the Edmonton Oilers -- on board this time, Reimer is sharing the net with a former teammate. Come the start of the 2014-15 NHL season, he very well could have another goaltending partner if the Leafs trade the restricted free agent. Reimers season in Toronto didnt go as he planned, and its only natural for him to think scouts and general managers will be watching him in Minsk. "I assume so. I think theyre scouting everyone," Reimer said. "I think everyones taking a peek at whoever might have a contract up or might not, thats what theyre here to do. Any time youre playing, especially in a different situation, theyre watching to see how you react and respond. But in every NHL game theres scouts and GMs watching, too. Its just one of those things wherever youre playing competitively, people will be watching." Theres plenty for Tippett to watch for early in this tournament that could affect his plan going forward. On Thursday he kept the top line of Burrows, Turris and MacKinnon together from Tuesdays exhibition game and tinkered elsewhere. Nazem Kadri centred Cody Hodgson and Troy Brouwer, while Philadelphia Flyers teammates Brayden Schenn and Matt Read skated with Huberdeau. Chimera and Capitals teammate Ward remained together, and Tippett said hell keep an eye on having either Scheifele or Monahan between them. Because this tournament is such a "scramble" with so little preparation time, Tippett is just trying to get create some chemistry before the first puck drop. "Youve got to get your players in roles early," he said. "Always subject to change, but I think one of the most important factors of a tournament like this is you try to get everybody in their spots as quick as you can." That starts with establishing Bieksa as captain. Burrows voiced support for that choice because his Canucks teammate is good at bringing people together. "He keeps it fun, he likes to have a good time," Burrows said. "But at the same time when its time to work and do the right things, hes the first one to lead the way." Evgeny Kuznetsov Jersey . -- Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone above his left eye but has no other serious injuries after being hit in the face by a line drive in a spring training game. Jakub Vrana Jersey . -- Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice tweeted an apparent goodbye after a report about his pending release. http://www.officialcapitalspro.com/Denni...apitals-jersey/. on the 15-day disabled Monday list because of a strained right hamstring. Nicklas Backstrom Jersey . The Redskins announced Monday that the quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl championship in the 1987 season will serve as a personnel executive. Custom Washington Capitals Jerseys . The Boston Celtics hadnt played since the All-Star break. So the Suns 100-94 victory over Boston Wednesday night was an uphill affair, with Phoenix relying on balance rather than its trademark high energy. NEW YORK -- In advance of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference final, the coaches put on a show. First Rangers coach Alain Vigneault fired back at the Canadiens, dismissing the assertion by Montreal counterpart Michel Therrien that there is a gentlemans agreement among coaches that they not watch the other team practise on off-days. And he said Therriens comments that Montreal knows where Rangers forward Derick Brassard was hurting might come back to haunt the Habs coach. "Let me put it this way. I just hope nothing happens to (Brassard) or Michel could be in trouble," a feisty Vigneault said. The coaches friendship, he suggested, was on hold. "I think (Therrien) said prior to the series, for this two-week period, were not really friends and hes probably right," Vigneault, whose smile seemed a little forced, said after the morning skate Sunday. Vigneault was followed by a grinning Therrien, who looked to kill his rival coach with kindness. "Alain Vigneault, first of all hes a good friend," said Therrien. "Im privileged to be one of his friends. Hes an important person in my life. Hes one of the guys that pushed for me to get into pro hockey. And I will respect that. "And over the years, we become great great friends. And Ive got tons of respect for him. And hes a good coach. But right now were battling for the same thing ... Weve got to put our friendship aside, for what two weeks? But Im sure when everythings done and over, as soon as get a chance to see each other, were going to have a nice cold beer, like we did in the past. "Nothing is going to change, but right now were competing for the same goal. And thats normal." Vigneault, renowned for his calmness, has had a bee under his bonnet in recent days. In three games -- the Rangers led 2-1 going into Game 4 -- there has been one surgery, two suspensions and a lot of talk. The Rangers coach seemed to have a chip on his shoulder Sunday. He has lamented the officiating that led to a Game 3 flare-up which resulted in Brandon Prust breaking Derek Stepans jaw and Rangers forward Dan Carcillo being suspended for jostling a linesman in the aftermath. "Were trying to play whistle to whistle," Vigneault said. "Were trying to do the right things. I know in the hockey world we were painted as dishonest and dishonourable. Were not. We follow the rules. We follow the rules on the ice, and we will follow the rules off the ice." The Habs have complained about the Rangers play, questioned some of their injuries and looked to get under their skin at every turn. "Hockey is a beautiful game," Vigneault said. "Its done by great competitors on both teams. I wish a lot of this stuff didnt happen." It has been a series where the two coaches have hardly said a word without considering their impact.dddddddddddd While Prust was awaiting a league sanction for his hit, Vigneault detailed the extent of Stepans injury. After Carcillo asked that his 10-game ban be reviewed by commissioner Gary Bettman, Vigneault questioned the role of linesman Scott Driscoll in the play. Therrien dismissed the suggestion that the Habs may be looking to capitalize on Brassards return to the lineup from injury. "Hes a good player. There is no free pass. Were in the playoffs. But the intention is not to hurt the guy. I mean, come on," he said. "We have to play Derick Brassard hard like we have to play all those New York Rangers hard with emotion and the best playoff hockey," he added. Therrien said he was giving Vigneault some of his own medicine. "I was saying the same thing Alain said about Carey Price, that he knew before, he knew what the injury was and that the hockey world its a small world," he said. "Its true, its a small world. So we knew exactly what happened to Derick Brassard. And by the way, hes a good player. Hes an important player." As for the Canadiens asking the Rangers assistant coaches to leave Montreals practice Saturday, Vigneault responded Sunday by saying his staff was treated unfairly. "There is no rule. There was no agreement between both teams. That is the exception not the rule." If there is a deal, its only because the opposing coach or GM calls to ask for it. "Never happened," he added. Vigneault called the Montreal behaviour regrettable, adding it was lucky the situation did not escalate. Therrien stuck to his guns, although he did say perhaps there was a breakdown in communication. According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, NHL Director of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell met with Therrien and Canadiens GM Marc Bergervin on Sunday to discuss the issue. "My staff and my coaching staff were under the impression that there is a gentlemans agreement. So probably there was a miscommunication. ... But from our standpoint, we still believe that there is a gentlemans agreement." Asked about personnel, Vigneault said Stepan was recovering at home from surgery although he had visited his teammates Sunday morning. Dominic Moore was expected to move up and replace Stepan with J.T. Miller replacing Carcillo on the fourth line. Therrien was asked zero questions about his lineup, with all the talk on the gamesmanship in the series. Michael Bournival is expected to replace Prust, who was suspended for two games for the Stepan hit. NOTES: Sunday marked 20 years since Mark Messier, after promising the win, scored a natural hat trick to help the Rangers defeat the New Jersey Devils 4-2 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final. 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