After a 12-year absence, the World Cup of Hockey is back. Eight teams will compete in Toronto. All games will be broadcast by ESPN.

Format

There are two groups of four teams. Canada, US, Czech Republic, and Europe are in Group A. North America, Sweden, Russia, and Finland are in Group B. The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals, with the two winners playing a best-of-three series to decide the champion.

Bruins connections

CANADA

Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand will be skating for Canada. Bergeron is expected to carry a heavy load for the team. Bergeron and Marchand will be linemates with Sidney Crosby.

Bruins coach Claude Julien is an assistant for Canada.

UNITED STATES

The newest Bruin, David Backes, has been on the fourth line for the US. Backes signed with the Bruins this summer after­ 13 years with the Blues.

FINLAND

Goalie Tuukka Rask is on the Finland roster, but he may be the backup for Pekka Rinne.

OTHERS

David Pastrnak will be skating for the Czech Republic. Manning the blue line for Europe­ is Zdeno Chara.

History of the Cup

This is the third World Cup of Hockey. The first two were in 1996 and 2004, with the US winning in 1996, and Canada in 2004. It succeeded the Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991. It was held five times, with Canada taking four titles, and the Soviet Union winning once, in 1987.