Jay Turnbull

Six players on Canada’s roster for the FIFA World Cup have roots in Quebec. They followed different, winding paths to get to the same spot: on soccer's biggest stage wearing Canada’s colours. As they focus on the job ahead of them, friends and families who helped them get there are watching with pride. And they have some insights on how these players got to this level, as well as the impact they could have on soccer players in the province. “They played in amateur clubs.

Montreal·New Quebec — the province that produced Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur, among other greats — will not have a man playing hockey for Team Canada at the Olympics. It marks the first time since 1952. But stepping in to save the province’s hockey honour is Phil Pietroniro. No, he won’t be wearing the Maple Leaf, but instead, a bright blue Italian jersey.

Quebec — the province that produced Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur, among other greats — will not have a man playing hockey for Team Canada at the Olympics. It marks the first time since 1952. But stepping in to save the province’s hockey honour is Phil Pietroniro. No, he won’t be wearing the Maple Leaf, but instead, a bright blue Italian jersey.