Leafs' Tavares disappointed he was left off Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off roster

Toronto Maple Leafs centre John Tavares received a call from Hockey Canada over the weekend, but it wasn't the one he was expecting.

While Leafs teammate Mitch Marner will don the maple leaf at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Tavares was told he would not be part of Team Canada's roster for the best-on-best tournament taking place in February.

The 34-year-old from Oakville, Ont., told reporters Friday he was disappointed and "would have loved to have been a part of it."

"To have those opportunities to compete in those events is really, really special and unique," Tavares said. "Obviously, disappointed, but just get back focused on what we’re doing day-to-day here with the club, and how I can be at my best and continue to play well.

"It’s a long grid, the season, so continue to focus on that and that’s all you can really control. News has come out, obviously things are official, so just move on from there."

Tavares added that being a potential injury replacement was not discussed during his conversation with Hockey Canada.

The 4 Nations Face-Off will be the first major tournament featuring NHL players since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Tavares competed in that event, recording one goal and four points in six games to help Canada win the title. He also captured gold with Canada at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Tavares most recently represented Canada at the world championship in May, recording two goals and 11 points in nine games.

With NHL players set to return to the Olympics in 2026 after missing the past two Winter Games, Tavares is pushing to remain on Hockey Canada's radar.

For now, his attention remains with the Maple Leafs, who sit first in the Atlantic Division with a 16-7-2 record (34 points). Tavares is third on the team in scoring this season with 22 points (11 goals and 11 assists) in 24 games.

"I think, probably naturally, you’re obviously disappointed and motivated to play well. I think I’m always that way but, in general, you just want to continue to push to be part of events and opportunities like that and play for Team Canada," he said. "There’s the Olympics next year and whatever after that. It’s not really where you put your focus on, but if you play really well, play at a high level, you can show you can be part of a group that can help win. You put yourself in the mix.

"Hopefully, those opportunities will still be there down the road, but motivation-wise is always the same. I think for me to go out there and prove myself every day, work to be at my best, help the Leafs here, do everything we can to win."