Ice hockey-McDavid, Eichel join forces for Team North America

TORONTO, March 2 (Reuters) - Canadian Connor McDavid and American Jack Eichel will join forces on Team North America at this year's World Cup of Hockey as the two rookies were selected to the initial roster on Wednesday. The two forwards, who were the top two picks in the 2015 National Hockey League Draft, will be teammates for the first time when they represent a team comprised of American and Canadian players that are 23-and-under. Among the others named to a team that will be competing in an eight-team tournament versus ice hockey's best players, are forward Dylan Larkin, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and goaltender John Gibson. The eight competing teams must submit their final 23-player roster by June 1. Squad Goaltenders John Gibson (Anaheim Ducks), Connor Hellebuyck (Manitoba Moose - Winnipeg Jets hold NHL rights), Matt Murray (Pittsburgh Penguins) Defense Aaron Ekblad (Florida Panthers), Seth Jones (Columbus Blue Jackets), Ryan Murray (Columbus), Morgan Rielly (Toronto Maple Leafs) Forwards Sean Couturier (Philadelphia Flyers), Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres), Johnny Gaudreau (Calgary Flames), Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), J.T. Miller (New York Rangers), Sean Monahan (Calgary Flames), Brandon Saad (Columbus Blue Jackets) (Reporting by Frank Pingue. Editing by Steve Keating.)