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Canada's Doughty wants to silence doubters: 'I still got it'

Vitor Munhoz/4NFO / World Cup of Hockey / Getty

Canada adding Drew Doughty to its 4 Nations Face-Off roster as an injury replacement wasn't a surprising decision, but the veteran rearguard believes he can use the tournament to prove he's still an effective player.

"I see things, you know? Even a lot of people (questioning) me making this team. I see things," Doughty said, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "I'm not maybe the same player I was in 2016 or something - but I still got it.

"I want to be playing big games. I want to be playing the Stanley Cup Final. So, I think it's just good for me to be here, to resurrect my career a little bit. I think a lot of people have me written off with my game, but I want to show them they're wrong here."

Doughty has put together an impressive international resume throughout his career, winning two Olympic gold medals, the World Cup of Hockey, and world junior gold. He likely would have made Canada's 4 Nations roster off the bat if he didn't break his ankle in the preseason.

Instead, Doughty got his opportunity after Vegas Golden Knights blue-liner Alex Pietrangelo bowed out of the tournament to tend to an injury.

"The Olympics is probably the most special," Doughty said. "There's no doubt about that. But because I haven’t done it in so long, this tournament means the world to me.

"I just want to represent my country ... and there’s nothing like playing with the best players in the world."

Doughty was a minus-1 in 18:54 of ice time Wednesday in Canada's tournament-opening 4-3 overtime win over Sweden.

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