"The prototype of an NHL defenseman was redesigned coming out of the 2004-05 lockout, becoming slightly smaller, noticeably quicker and more skilled with the puck. The evolution did not strand Blue Jackets defenseman Marc Methot. Methot is a melding of the pre- and post-lockout prototypes - big and strong yet fast - but his confidence tends to wane just when his career seems ready to accelerate. The next 10 days could be his best chance yet to clear the hurdles in his head. Methot will play for Team Canada in the world championships, beginning today in Slovakia. Canada plays Belarus at 2:15 p.m. "Everybody hopes that he gets settled in and gets a real shot of confidence," said Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel, who will serve as Ken Hitchcock's assistant coach for Canada. "He's going to be running with some of the best players in the world, including some of the best guys in the NHL. "Meth took a big step this year. He might have been our best player in the first three months of the season. If we can get him feeling good about himself and keep him feeling that way, it can make a big difference." The world championships are a much bigger deal in Europe than in North America. The rosters for Canada and the U.S. are stocked with players whose clubs didn't qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs or were beaten in the first round. A handful of players, including Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason, declined invitations to play for their countries. But try telling Methot that this is a second-rate tournament. He'll put on a Canada jersey for the first time, which is no small honor north of the border. "The word is overused, but it's awesome," Methot said. "As a player, you just dream about getting a chance to represent your country. This is huge for me. To pull that sweater over your head and play in a foreign country representing your own? How can you not be jacked for something like that?" Methot will be joined on Team Canada by Blue Jackets left winger Rick Nash and center Antoine Vermette. Nash, the Jackets' captain, also will wear the "C" for Canada." Read more: http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/live.../worlds-are-big-stage-for-methot.html?sid=101
