GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Nine former Grand Rapids Griffins players will compete at the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship in Canada, which begins today in Quebec City, Quebec, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The rosters of eight of the tournament’s 16 teams boast players that have called Van Andel Arena home: Canada’s Jason Spezza (2001-02), Czech Republic’s Karel Rachunek (1999-00), Germany’s Michael Hackert (2005-06), Norway’s Anders Myrvold (2003-04), Russia’s Konstantin Gorovikov (1999-01), Slovakia’s Ivan Ciernik (1999-02) and Robert Petrovicky (1998-00), Sweden’s Stefan Liv (2006-07), and Switzerland’s Julien Vauclair (2001-02).

In addition, Cory Emmerton (2006-08) and 2006 Detroit Red Wings draft pick Logan Pyett joined Team Canada for training camp.

Other participating players with local ties include Canada’s Chris Kunitz, who starred at Ferris State (1999-03), and five Michigan natives from Team USA’s roster: former Michigan State Spartan David Booth (2002-06), Tim Gleason, Matt Greene, Tim Thomas and James Wisniewski.

The preliminary round of the tournament kicks off today when Denmark and the Czech Republic drop the puck at 1 p.m. EDT at Colisee Pepsi in Quebec City, while Team USA begins its schedule by facing Latvia at 9:15 p.m. at the Halifax MetroCentre. The World Championship continues with the qualifying round (May 8-13), quarterfinals (May 14) and semifinals (May 16), leading up to the bronze medal game on May 17 and the gold medal game on May 18 in Quebec City.

Complete information on the 2008 IIHF World Championship can be found here.