The 38-year-old - who is making his fourth World Cup appearance - had been fully focused on Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup playoffs, but when the team from the Steel City lost to Philadelphia, the opportunity for a World Cup appearance opened up.
That eventuality became reality when Mathew Barzal was forced to decline due to injury.
Crosby was injured at the end of the Olympics in Italy and left Milan with a silver medal. The Canadian has previously won two Olympic gold medals, a World Cup gold medal and three Stanley Cups.
Canada will face Tre Kronor in the World Cup opener on Friday.
