Local NLL players open playoffs this weekend. Dan Dawson

When Chris Corbeil answered the phone last Friday, he was surprised to hear the voice of Paul Day. The Team Canada assistant coach wanted to know if Corbeil had any conflicts at the end of the month.

“It didn’t even register why he would be asking,” the 22-year-old said.

Corbeil is used to inquiries about his schedule. Since December, he juggled three demanding pursuits. He’s studying at Western and has been preselected to enter the school’s Ivey School of Business. The former captain of the Oakville Blades also played on Western’s hockey team, helping them reach the national semifinals. And on top of all that, he is playing pro lacrosse with the Buffalo Bandits, who will play in the National Lacrosse League’s semifinals this weekend.

Besides, Corbeil had been logging on to Team Canada’s website since December as the team added a few players each week to its roster for the FIL World Lacrosse Championship. When the final selections were announced in February, Corbeil accepted his fate.

“When you consider the competition for spots on the team,” he said, “I’m young, I only had one year of pro — it was encouraging, even flattering, just to be considered for it.”

Then three months later, out of the blue, Day called. A hand injury had forced defensive specialist Ryan Cousins to withdraw. Canada wanted Corbeil to take his place.

“I’m thrilled beyond belief,” said the 2010 NLL all-rookie team member. “Representing my country is something I’ve never been able to do and to be able to win gold would easily be the greatest accomplishment of my lacrosse career.”

Corbeil will join Oakville’s Dan Dawson on the Canadian squad that will open the tournament May 22 in Prague, Czech Republic against Slovakia.

Dawson was a member of the Canadian teams that won gold in 2003 and 2007. While Canada cruised to a 21-4 victory over Iroquois Nation in 2003, the same two teams met in the final in 2007 with Canada needing overtime to escape with a 15-14 victory.

Dawson said Iroquois Nation is not the only team closing the gap between Canada and its opponents.

“The U.S. has just an amazing roster. It’s going to be a tough go,” he said. “It’s nice to know that lacrosse is growing, not just in Canada, but worldwide.”

Since Canada hosted the last two world indoor championships, playing on foreign soil will present unique challenges for the players. Dawson and a few of the players got some experience with that when they helped Canada win a silver medal in England at the world field lacrosse championships.

“It is different being away from family,” he said. “It’s more like a business trip and you have to be able to adapt to the food, the culture and the accommodations. It’s also a great opportunity to see the world playing lacrosse.”

And while they may be away from home, the local players will be getting an assist from the organization where they got their start, thanks to a sponsorship from the Oakville Minor Lacrosse Association.

Dylan MacDougall got his start in the organization but he won’t be suiting up for Canada. His mom is Australian, making him eligible to play for the Aussies.

He was to make his debut for Australia at the worlds four years ago but missed the tournament after breaking his hand.

“I know he’s looking forward to it,” said his dad, Rob, who will be an assistant coach with the Australian team.

Australia has a 3-8 record in the previous two world championships and Rob MacDougall knows the team will have its work cut out for it against the elite teams.

“When you look at (Canada’s) depth, it’s impressive. It would be like you and I sitting in bar watching TV and saying, ‘Let’s put a team together and go play the All Blacks,’” he said in reference to the powerhouse New Zealand rugby team. “We’re going against the best in the world but we’ll give it our best.”

Notes: Despite a two-goal, eight-point effort by Dawson, his Boston Blazers were edged 11-10 by Corbeil's Buffalo Bandits in the opening round of the NLL playoffs. Oakville's Dan MacRae and the Calgary Roughnecks advanced with a 10-6 win over Colorado.

— Beaver sports reporter Herb Garbutt can be followed on Twitter @herbgarbutt